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I want to learn something new this year. Any recommendations? | I was thinking maybe more about the mechanics of cars, or reading up about circuit design and electricity, or learning a new language, or perhaps a guitar.
What have you learned and did you find it rewarding?
Edit: Thanks so much for the replies, all good stuff. I really appreciate it.
Edit 2: I picked up what you are putting down, Comma Boy. | 6 | [
{
"body": "Learn to play the piano/keyboard. Wouldn't it be awesome to walk into a fancy room w/piano, just walk up to it and start busting out some Beethoven?",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I started to brew my own beer. Most rewarding decision in a long time. [This](http://www.brewwiki.com/index.php/Brewing_Your_First_Beer) may be helpful.",
"score": 3
}
]
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Can someone explain Lie groups to me? | I've always found them interesting because they come up in physics and control theory. I've tried to learn some group theory but I never get past things like cosets and quotient groups, and Lie groups are inevitably after them in textbooks.
As a bonus, if someone can explain how groups allow us to know that it's impossible to solve higher order polynomials, I would also be grateful (Galois theory also comes at the end of most introductory textbooks). | 10 | [
{
"body": "Lie groups are manifolds and groups. I would look at a differential geometry book rather than a group theory book. There are tons of references on them, so I won't even suggest any. The simplest example is GL(n), invertable nxn matrices. This is a group because you can mulitply them, and it is a manifold because locally it looks like R^(n^2). There are n^2 entries in the matrix.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "A Lie group is a differential manifold endowed with a group structure such that the group operations\n\n · : G X G -> G\n ⁻¹ : G -> G\n\nare differentiable.\n\nTry to show that R^n is a Lie group under vector addition. Then try to show the unit circle is a Lie group under complex multiplication (this group is called U(1)).\n\nedit: If there's something I want to read in a book, I usually read it directly, and then go back and try to fill in the holes. You can read papers like this too. YMMV.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Without worrying about the definitions, a Lie group is a group which is also a smooth geometric object (deathbyinteger gave the precise definition).\n\nWhy do you need this? The prototypical use of groups is to codify symmetry. Many things in nature have groups of symmetries which are continuous, rather than discrete. The group of rotational symmetries of a cube is a finite group: it's S\\_4, which you can see by thinking about a cube's four diagonals. But the group of rotational symmetries of a sphere is the group of real 3-by-3 matrices which preserve the distance (or dot product) and orientation of R^3 (the group operation is matrix multiplication); this group is called SO(3) or SO\\_3(R).\n\nThis means that whenever you want to think about phenomena which are, say, rotationally invariant in three-space, the group SO(3) is going to enter in some guise. Now you can't count things, exactly, in SO(3), because its cardinality is that of R (uncountably infinite). Instead you have to notice that SO(3) is \"locally three-dimensional\", in the sense that near any given matrix in SO(3) there are three \"degrees of freedom\" along which you can vary the matrix and still stay in the group. This gives you the handle you need to introduce analysis on manifolds. Where in a calculation using finite groups you might put a sum, in Lie groups you might write an integral instead.\n\nLie groups are a fairly difficult subject to begin because you have to know a lot of technology before you can really get started. In particular you need analysis on manifolds/basic differential geometry. I think the best intro text here is Spivak, A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry, volume I -- but be aware that if you're starting from just calculus in Euclidean space, this is a semester-plus of good, hard work. There are plenty of harder books, but I don't know any easier or more accessible ones.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "You're not really going to understand how Galois theory does what it does unless you learn all the details, but here's the gist:\n\nTake a field like all rational numbers, which I call Q. Some polynomials, like x^2 - 1 have all their roots in Q. Some polynomials, like x^2 + 1 don't. If a polynomial doesn't I can create a new field, called the splitting field, by adding all the roots of the polynomial to my field. In the case of x^2 + 1 the splitting field over Q is Q(i) which means any number that I can write like \"a + bi\" where a and b are in Q (fractions).\n\nOnce I know the splitting field I can look at special maps. The maps I'm interested in are the ones that don't move around the stuff I started with (Q) but do move around the stuff I added. So for instance complex conjugation moves i to -i, but all the numbers in Q are real so they aren't moved. Anyway, take all these special maps and it turns out they form a finite group called the Galois group.\n\nSo we don't get confused I'm gonna keep calling the zero's of a polynomial roots and I'm gonna call things like square roots and cubed roots by the name radicals. Well it turns out if you can get from your starting field to your splitting field just by adding radicals then the Galois group you end up with has a special property called solvability (its a very technical condition and has to do with those quotients you don't like). The other direction is also true, if your Galois group is solvable then you can get to your splitting field just by adding radicals.\n\nIf we can write down the roots of a polynomial then we can write down a field extension containing those roots by just adding whatever radicals we used to write down the roots. Being able to write down the roots is what people generally mean when they say an equation is solvable so an equation is \"solvable\" if and only if you can get to your splitting field by adding radicals which you can do if and only if the Galois group is \"solvable\".\n\nSo that is why groups tell you which equations are solvable and which aren't.",
"score": 3
}
]
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What can you tell about me based on my shoes? | Got the idea from [barake](http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ao95m/what_do_you_judge_based_on_looks_alone/c0il4mn) in the [What do you judge based on looks alone](http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ao95m/what_do_you_judge_based_on_looks_alone/) thread.
So to start off, here are my two pairs of shoes that I normally wear, excluding shoes I wear for specific purposes (dress shoes, boots, etc.)
http://imgur.com/Ukmvv.jpg
http://imgur.com/QW9wf.jpg
EDIT: You guys are supposed to put in your own shoes and see what other people can say. Kind of like the keys thread earlier. | 15 | [
{
"body": "Young, wanting to fit in with casual \"cool\".\n\nStandard laces so not trying to be artsy, or just boring because they are laces carefully and correctly.\n\nNo fun ballpoint pen writing, so probably in college or early twenties, not HS.\n\nPictures are taken by yourself with your arm out, not by a cute friend girl or girlfriend, so probably not as popular as you'd like to be. \n\nBoth shoes are really for jeans/casual, so you spend most of your time in those settings, not as an intern at a professional office or where you need to wear crossover business casual shoes to fit with slacks.\n\n",
"score": 28
},
{
"body": "You are a dreamer with a passion for the oddities in life. You hold your friends and family close, along with your ideals. You love to travel, but aren't able to get away as much as you'd like. You enjoy good meals, and stimulating movies. Music livens your soul, and you like to share your favorite songs with your favorite people. You attract people of all walks of life, but often approach relationships with some caution at first. You are compassionate, yet occasionally bold and coldly decisive. \n\n tl;dr - can't tell shit about you ",
"score": 20
},
{
"body": "You're a mid-20s hipster-wannabe who doesn't care or can't afford enough to go full-hipster, but still likes to be a cool looking dude. You probably have brown hair in a military cut, probably wear a size 32 or 34 jean in a 30 inch inseam (or maybe shorter, those hems look like they may be tailored.) You live in a major metro area in the U.S. mid-atlantic region and you were, and maybe are, a drummer, who particularly likes Red Hot Chili Peppers. You're a big fan of the military, as well.",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "You're a quiet person.\n\nWhen autumn was acquiescing to the merciless onslaught of a frigid solstice you stood tight-armed and hunched in the doorway beside the *Payless* shoe store peering into the pane glass window. Inside, the display shoes stood expectantly with their tongues hanging out waiting for someone to take them for a walk.\n\nYou looked at your own shoes. A ratty, ragged pair of black sneakers since faded to denim blue. Their dozen or so eyes uneven from fatigue stared up forlornly. They wanted to die, be buried in the back of the closet into the sweet release of the darkness behind the hamper. But you wouldn't allow it. Their weak embrace around the crushing heel of your foot felt so tender, so natural, even though with each step their seams buckled and their sole tore a little more.\n\nBut then you saw them. They radiated a pure white, a milky ivory eggshell white, the color of your favorite Suicide Girl's skin, each with a playful alligator tattooed on each side; there they laid pigeon-toed on a pedestal just above a couple of adoring \"Docs.\" You had to have them. You had to make them yours.\n\nAs you stepped into the store dragging your feet along the filthy floor mat in the entrance you thought you heard your old shoes sigh with relief.\n\nThe clerk was an older man who carried the paunch of middle age along with the regret of wasting his youth, his potential, his life. Though he shuffled like the undead and leaned forward with bent back and stooped shoulders, he still stood several inches taller than you. In his prime, he well could have cast an imposing figure but now seemed only a shade of his former self.\n\nYou walked directly to your new loves and grabbed them rapaciously, pawing at the twins, groping and caressing their curves.\n\n\"Do you have these in a size 9?\" you asked the clerk.\n\nIn a moment he came out holding the objects of your desire and you sat down anticipating what it would feel like to be inside them. Your took off your old sneakers and found yourself repulsed by their musty odors when you caught that whiff of vinyl newness exuded from the box of the fresh white shoes.\n\nThe clerk knelt before you and gripped your right ankle. What you expected to be a frail hand was surprisingly strong. And so with a forceful tug, the old man had you face down on the ground with one arm behind your neck pushing your face into the gray carpet. And as quickly as one would kick off a loafer the man had your pants down to your knees. Your socked feet kicked impotently. The salesman entered you with a guttural heaving sound. His hot, smokey breath singed your ears.\n\nThe whole event lasted maybe ninety seconds before the old man collapsed, worn out and red-faced. He let you have the white shoes for free.\n\nAnd that's why you're so quiet.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "You used to listen to ska, but now think it is so yesterday. You have found some new music within that past couple years, maybe at college. You probably live at home, if not then in a generic apartment complex. Deathcub is probably not one of those new bands you discovered, but the bands appear in the \"people also bought\" section when you look at Deathcab on Amazon. You are not a hipster.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "You care somewhat about how you look. The fact that you have two shoes, and they are both somewhat stylish, but not flagrantly fashionable speaks about your moderated desire to look good.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Your shoes have a European feel to them, so maybe you are from europe. Or you are asian. \n\nIs that a lacoste alligator on the first pair? Either you're preppy or you've got a sense of humor.\n\nI'm impressed that the laces and the toes are so white. It shows you care about your appearance and are possibly a neat-freak, so bonus points for that. \n\nBlack converses are safe, and tasteful. All in all, I'd say you are a bit of a fashionista, though mostly a closeted one. \n\nCan we see your dress shoes?",
"score": 3
}
]
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Does anyone know where I can get any cool Sci-fi sounds/samples? | I produce electro and have a drum machine sample pack for beats that I use. I have been using the tr-808 primarily, but am having trouble finding cool scifi sounds that I can use for my songs. I'm looking for cool snares, machine samples, lazers, really anything that sounds futuristic. I wanted to know if anyone from WATMM had any scifi sample packs or knew of anyplace where I could download them. Any ideas? Thanks guys this will help with my production a hell of a lot. | 10 | [
{
"body": "If you're serious about this, just start on the long, complicated task of plundering cool sci-fi flicks, radio and television broadcasts and games for sounds. Way more personalized than any pack of samples anyone throws together for you.",
"score": 3
}
]
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From "Adun Toridas" to "Wololo". What are your favorite video game quotes? | My favorite game for amazing quotes is probably Portal, here's an example:
"The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Companion Cube cannot speak. In the event that the Companion Cube does speak, the Enrichment Center urges you to disregard its advice."
What are some of your favorite video game quotes? | 3 | [
{
"body": "I used to click the footmen in Warcraft II through all of their sayings:\n\n\"Join the army, they said... See the world, they said... I'd rather be sailing!\"\n\nThen I would put them into a transport ship, which I would promptly sink. That kind of attitude has no place in my army. ",
"score": 10
}
]
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DAE relate currency to alcohol, or other things they spend money regularly on? | Many times when I am going to buy something I relate it to alcohol to make it an easier choice. For example: Want to buy this videogame for 60$. Oh well thats about 10 drinks at a bar worth. Oh do I want to pay 10$ a month extra for DVR? Well thats only a drink or 2 a month at the bar so heck why not? I feel like alcohol is its own currency sometimes like it doesnt count. I've bitch about spending 10 bucks on something I want or need, yet have spent 200 bucks on booze in a night in the city and not thought of it as wasting my money. Another example is I want to spend 100$ on this new hard drive. I wont buy it cause i feel l dont need to spend that much today, yet ill spend the same amount easily at a bar and not even question it. Sometimes I wont go out for a night just top justify me spending the same amount on something else the next day. Money is funny. | 19 | [
{
"body": "Actually, I do the opposite. I compare it to the number of hours I have to work to obtain the money to purchase it.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Pints of BEER! \n\nMind you, my brain is stuck in the time when I first started going to pubs when a pint cost about GBP 1.50, these days you're lucky to get one for less than 3 quid. So my system is totally skewed, but I can't help it.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "This is hilarious. Never had DAE applied more directly to me. If it's less than a few hundred I do this with booze. If it's more I do it with PS3s. Like, if someone says they made $1000 at the blackjack table I always think/say \"wow, thats like... 3 PS3s\"",
"score": 5
}
]
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Is it just me or do the stats / achievement tracking suck? | I've put in a little more than 40 hours now, and when I started I really liked the idea of stats, and being able to compete against yourself, and of course, the achievements. This far into it, however, I'm noticing that it's definitely missing many things.
For example, I had an awesome life as a soldier where I had 7 kills and was finally able to deploy the buff banner. This means I definitely dealt more than 2000 damage, but my stats don't reflect it. It shows that my best for soldier was three kills, although I've even gotten five several times now.
The same can be said for other classes. I had 10 kills by a sentry once, and it doesn't show up.
Is this the usual experience? It's frustrating because I really like the idea of stats, and want them to be great, but now I feel that they're not really worth anything. | 10 | [
{
"body": "Yep, I've definitely experienced this before. I have no idea what causes it or how to fix it... \n\nThe worst thing though was when I played that practice map with NPCs running in a line to practice shooting - it keeps track of those stats well so that now everything is unfairly inflated. My max scout life is over an hour... :(",
"score": 6
}
]
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Gunnit, What do you use to lubricate your guns? | I know I will get flamed for this, but what is wrong with motor oil? It is highly refined, has detergent properties, antioxidants, and never gets gummy. Ok, what about synthetic? | 7 | [
{
"body": "There is nothing wrong with using motor oil. I don't like it because it's generally thicker and has a greater tendency to get all over everything. Gun oil is a lighter oil.\n\nWith that said I usually use regular old Remington gun oil on everything besides my larger rifles. On those I use grease on the moving parts (Mobile 1 Synthetic Bearing Grease to be exact) as oil doesn't hold up nearly as well there.\n\nBut if it's a good machine rated lubricant it's going to be good enough. Heck WD-40 works just fine.",
"score": 3
}
]
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Grilled Portobello. A delicious and easy side when you're using the grill. | This recipe couldn't be easier.
You just need a nice big portobello mushroom, a garlic clove, butter and olive oil. Melt the butter and mix with olive oil about 50/50, and mix in about 1 clove finely chopped garlic per 'shroom.
Brush the mixture on the top of the mushroom caps then place the 'shrooms gills-up. Fill the cap with the garlic/butter/oil mixture.
Place on the grill alongside your steaks and let them cook for as long as the steaks or about 10-15 minutes.
These could also be done in an oven on broil if you don't want to fire up the grill.
These puppies are absolutely delicious and could even make an entree on their own if you like. To veganize them just leave out the butter. They aren't quite as rich tasting but still delicious. | 11 | [
{
"body": "I love to grill portabellos but I do it a little different. I marinate them in an equal part mixture of balsamic, soy sauce, and olive oil with some diced garlic thrown in. I usually eat them as a burger topped with feta cheese and tomato.",
"score": 8
}
]
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Is it just me or does it seem like every year Disney releases a special anniversary limited edition of everything they've ever made? | Saw a trailer before me and my buddy started to watch the movie G-Force on DVD (the movie with Zach Galificanakas and the CG hampsters - don't ask) for the 79th Anniversary of Dumbo. Seems like a pretty arbitrary year to release an anniversary edition. | 3 | [
{
"body": "Disney is like DeBeers. They control the global supply of a product. They use marketing to constantly reinforce the concept that their product is completely a completely necessary part of our culture and our lives, lined with the subtle suggestion that you don't really love the people around you unless you purchase said product for them. \n\nInstead of selling all the product they have in their respective \"Vaults\" (actual vaults for DeBeers, that lovely animated door for Disney), they bleed product out at a controlled rate to keep demand, and thus the price, artificially high. \n\nThe only real difference is that one of their products has actual value and worth to contribute to the universe, and the other is just a shiny rock.",
"score": 3
}
]
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Reddit, can you think of any good examples where government is more efficient than private industry at something? | The only thing off the top of my head for a counter-point is that stopping to pay on toll-roads sucks. Thanks for any ideas you have. | 8 | [
{
"body": "The problem with this question is that more efficient doesn't mean better. Private industry is more efficient because they simply don't supply service when when its inefficient aka non-profitable. Private industry built railroads and the populations had to hope they were close enough to bring their items to a central point in order to ship/sell it. The government built roads and now we can ship/deliver items anywhere we desire. ",
"score": 25
},
{
"body": "Fire departments, police departments, roadway systems, sewage systems, safety insurance monitors, ....",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "Safety regulation in pretty much every category.\n\nAutomobiles, Sanitation, Food, Drugs, Construction, Utilities, would all be extremely more dangerous if they were run by the private industry, simply because corporations have no incentive to save a few extra lives, but they do have strong incentives to save money by skimping on safety.",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "This is a loaded question, because \"efficient\" is not well defined. Turning the tables, one might ask, \"Can you think of any good examples where private industry is more efficient than government at something?\", and just about the only justifiable answer is \"turning a profit\". \n\nThe problem is that private industry and government are intended for different things. Private industry exists to turn a profit. Period. When turning a profit aligns well with something in the public interest, the private industry is very efficient at supplying that public interest for little money. But in most cases the two goals (profit and serving the public interest) diverge as an enterprise grows. \n\nWhat is government for? Well, that's a hard question -- but without answering it, you can't judge how efficient government is at what it does. Some people think that government is there to impose their religious ideals on others (a surprising number of people think this, even here in the U.S.A.); some people think it is there to provide a set of rules to enable business; others think it is there to catch and punish criminals (but what are criminals, in the absence of government?); some people think it is there to support individual rights; still others think it is there to regulate society and promote well-being for as many people as possible.\n\nModern right-wingers are all over the board, and it would take longer than I am willing to describe the various things that right-wing groups think about the government. Centrist progressives (about as left-wing as it gets in current political circles in the U.S.) think that government exists to \"tune\" society to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people, but that the best way to achieve that is not to replace capitalist enterprises - only to modify raw capitalism. In that light, one can judge how effective or efficient government is by evaluating how well it does at achieving particular agreed-upon goals. \n\nYou can't judge the efficiency of government unless you agree (at least for the sake of argument) on the goals, because (unlike private enterprise) turning a profit is not the sole goal of a government.\n\nAlmost any enterprise that requires supplying a minimum effective level of support to everybody is more efficiently handled by government than by private enterprise. An example is health care -- if the goal is to supply a high minimum standard of care to everyone, then the government is more efficient because the goal of profit-seeking it at odds with the goal. We see this with private insurance companies that pick and choose customers, and/or look for excuses to drop otherwise-perfect customers when they develop expensive diseases. This isn't just wacko lefty propaganda -- most other developed countries than the U.S.A. have single-payer government health care, and it works very well for achieving the goal of basic care for everyone. That is a public good -- it is actually easier for companies to do business in the U.K., for example, because of the existence of the National Health System than it would be without: there is a whole employee-benefits-and-insurance infrastructure that companies there don't need to have.\n\nAnother example is transportation infrastructure -- the government does a far better job of supplying and maintaining a working road system than would private enterprise, because private enterprise would focus on the most-used roads and those in affluent areas, and neglect little-used roads and those in poor areas -- but it is a benefit to everyone for the roads to meet certain minimum standards for design and for maintenance.\n\nMany markets get more efficient from government \"meddling\". These are markets with high fixed costs and low incremental costs (roadway support, by the way, is also an example of this type of market!). The most cogent such hybrid market is air travel. The costs of air travel are high and fixed; the incremental costs are far lower. The high cost comes from the need to maintain one's airplane and ground infrastructure. The low incremental cost comes from the fact that you can stick another butt in an airplane seat for little more than a small delta in fuel cost for the flight. As a result, laissez-faire markets always drive airlines to cut costs until they adopt unsafe practices -- that is why airline travel was so regulated for so long, why they seem to always be struggling with bankruptcy, and why they've adopted such byzantine pricing strategies (to try to recapture \"consumer excess\" -- but that's a whole lesson in economics. \n\nIn general, monopoly markets do not work well in laissez-faire systems, because in a monopoly market the supplier wins more profit by restricting access than by enabling access to the good that the supplier sells. Some markets are more natural monopolies than others, and those markets do better when adopted or heavily regulated by the government. Examples are old-style over-the-air broadcasting, electric power supply, phone service, and trains.\n\n\"Trains?\" I hear you respond. \"Amtrak is a failure!\" Indeed it is. But it is a failure for reasons other than that it is a quasi-governmental business. It is a failure because it is required to turn a profit (see the Amtrak charter documents) but it is required to compete with heavily subsidized modes of transportation (cars and aircraft, which have the costs of roads and airports hidden from the market via government support). When railroads were the dominant form of transportation, their monopoly tactics doubled or tripled the cost of moving things across the country, compared to what a fair market - or a government run train system - would have provided.\n\nGovernments are far more efficient at enforcing rules (such as, for example, product safety rules) than are corporations. Can you imagine a world in which Halliburton was in charge of regulating effluent streams from nuclear power plants? The profit motive for private corporations makes them more efficient by encouraging them to cut corners -- but some corners simply should not be cut! Bad though government may be at enforcing the clean air and water regulations, or the food safety regulations, it is far better at it than a private corporation that is always tempted by the prospect of a fast buck.\n\nEr, I hope that helps.",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "In economics, a public good is defined as something which is *non-excludable* (no-one can be excluded from using it) and *non-rivalrous* (its consumption by one person doesn't impact on the amount left for others to consume). As a result, such goods/services are unlikely to be provided by the private sector, as it is very difficult to charge individual consumers for their usage (free rider problem). Some examples of public goods which fit these criteria would be street lights, public roads, national defense, law enforcement and the fire department. \n\nWhat this means is that the government is not necessarily more efficient, but without public provision, it may not be produced at all. ",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Education.\n\nPublic schools may not be better than private schools, but they have less to work with. Private schools are better funded through tuition and donations, and they get the top students who can afford additional learning tools and have parents who understand the importance of education.",
"score": 3
}
]
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Girls of reddit, would you date a guy in a motorized wheelchair? | I Mean a guy with a legitimate broken neck, not some fat bastard in a rascal. Suppose he is "normal" in every aspect other than physical abilities, decent looking, moderately successful, funny, etc...
Is the chair something you would need to "get past," or would you see him just as everyone else? Please be honest.
Would you hear shit about it from friends and family? I know some people catch some bs for not "staying with their own." Would a sentiment similar to this cross your mind?
EDIT: I appreciate the input and openess of the several ladies that provided their opinion. However, more opinions are needed.
On another topic, downvotes...really?
EDIT 2: I would like to thank everyone that participated in this thread for their honesty, support, and humor. I realize that while I will definitely be limited in my options, much of my situation is dependent on me.
Thank you. | 54 | [
{
"body": "Hi wheelsbutthebadkind, I signed up just to post this. My dad is a quadriplegic from a broken neck before my birth and my parents' marriage. My parents knew each other but lost touch before his accident, and they got to know each other again years later. When they got married, my dad was completely self-sufficient (no hired help), but my mom still encountered negative but well-meaning input from friends and family who just didn't understand why she would marry someone with a disability (he wasn't really disabled at that point, he could do most everything without help despite being in a wheelchair), as my mom was a smart, beautiful, professionally successful woman who could have married many men. She says that she felt a true connection---\"at home\"---with my dad (who is incidentally smart, funny, handsome, creative, and wise beyond his years from the accident). My parents are still married and have a strong relationship 25 years later. So it is possible!\n\nSomething you might think about is the role of these caretakers in your life as you get serious with someone; what if they want to be the one to help you?\n\nDue to growing up with my dad, I don't have to \"look past\" the chair, but I would be hesitant to get involved with someone with a severe physical disability, just because I already grew up in a family with one. I've already experienced loving someone when there are complications, you have to help them, they go on disability, etc. I wouldn't trade my dad for anyone else in the world, and I have yelled at people who talk down to him or dismiss him because of the chair (AND people who park next to his van in handicap spots). He would basically have to be extra compatible and amazing. If one of my friends started seeing someone in a wheelchair I would do whatever I could to make it normal for her. \n\nIf I fell in love with a man in a wheelchair, then who knows, I might start dating and marry him. I would be far less likely to date a guy who was reckless with his body (extreme sports, motorcycle racing, climbing without ropes, etc) because I wouldn't be able to deal with what he was risking after living with my dad. \n\nIf you want any more specifics let me know. You seem like a good guy. \n\n(I'm a girl in case you couldn't tell)",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "I'm a straight guy, so I'll answer as if you were a woman: you would need to have an exceptional personality for it to be worth putting up with the inconvenience of not doing the various things we couldn't do together (hiking, gardening, etc.). Even then, you would have to accept that I have sexual needs that can't be satisfied due to your condition, and I'm not willing to forgo them, so we'd have to come to some arrangement.\n\nYou totally lucked out being a guy, since women tend to be a lot less shallow and the above won't be an issue for some percentage of them.\n",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "Personally, I'd have no problem dating a guy in a wheelchair that I'm attracted to. It would not be something I'd need to get past and I'm pretty sure none of my friends or family would care.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "If he was cute, I don't think I'd have a problem with it. Like the main guy in Avatar, for instance. Totally doable.\n\nI think the biggest question for me would be around sex, and whether he could...consummate the marriage. ",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I had a conversations about this a while back with a friend. I would date someone in a wheelchair, as long as I didn't have to take care of bodily functions and things like that. \r\n\r\nThough, reading your comments below, I think I would be most bothered by \r\n> As far as I know, I cannot reach orgasm. \r\n\r\nThough I'm an agressive top by nature, I think I would have a difficult time with someone who couldn't fully enjoy it.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "When I was out in San Diego last November, there was some sort of wheel chair athletic things going on. Those men were GORGEOUS.\n\nAttractive faces, nice muscular builds.\n\nI would totally see myself dating one of them.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "to be honest, I'm not sure. For me, it is really important that I date someone who shares common interests and activities with me.\n\nMy boyfriend and I play a lot of sports together, we actually played tennis as one of our firsts dates. Being physically active is a pretty big part of my life, and I think this would be missing if I were to date a guy in a wheelchair.\n\nHope it sounds fair.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I would certainly be willing to give it a try, but I am sure there would be all sorts of issues that would come up that I'm not aware of. \n\nI dated a guy mostly paralyzed from the waist down, and that really had no effect on our day to day life (besides the awesomeness of drunken wheelchair races, and my third floor walk up being a problem), but I suspect more extensive paralysis might bring up problems I wouldn't want to deal with unless the guy and I were the sort of match where there was a serious chance of long term commitment.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'd have no problem being with a guy in a wheelchair, but he'd have to be the one to come onto me. Usually, I like to be the one to make the first move and to be honest, I probably wouldn't consider going after someone that's physically limited. But if he went after me, I definitely wouldn't turn him down because of that.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE neglect to edit papers if they're longer than 400 words? | If I spent forever finally finishing 12 pages of writing, I don't want to look at my paper again. I write as though I have time to just get my thoughts down and go back and edit them, then I never bother looking at it again before I print it. | 7 | [
{
"body": "I'm not really much for the draft process. I edit as I go along, but when I'm done, I do a final check, and read it aloud for good measure. I tutor English/writing at a university, and this is what I tell students they should do. *Edit: To clarify, I tell them to read their work aloud, not to skip the draft process. Different writers work different ways, and while some find it helpful to write outlines and drafts, some (me included) don't.",
"score": 4
}
]
|
"You just don't get it." Any suggestions for dealing with a mother in denial? | **Ok, a little setup:**
*(If you don't want to read the setup you can skip down to the bottom)*
I'm a MtF living in NYC. On hormones over a year, living near full time. My family lives in Vermont, where I was born. I haven't seen them in over a year because I want them to grasp the idea that what I'm doing is a reality before they see what changes I've made. (Yes, it's arguable that it's unfair of me to start making physical changes before my family knew but time's a-wasting and I'm not getting any younger.)
I came out to my mother in May of last year. My younger sisters also know, but we don't talk about it much yet. This is the main problem with my family, we don't talk about things. My family is the family of small talk. We don't discuss issues; we discuss dinner.
Until I came out to her, my mother and I had a good relationship. At least on the surface. I had been hiding my trans-tendencies from her since I was very little. Mother has been bouncing from denial to anger and back to denial again for months. What's funny is she caught me playing with my sisters' clothes, makeup, all that stuff several times throughout my childhood and she still can't believe it. AND when I remind her of those instances she claims they never happened. I know it's a long process. Patience is my middle name.
My mother and I talk only through e-mail now. It's been this way for months because she doesn't want to talk on the phone. I oblige to a degree, and when we do talk on the phone it's forced and there's lot's of minute long silences (Fun!). I would almost rather she creamed at me and didn't speak to me for ten years than deal with the brick wall she has become. At least then I would know where we stand.
Ok, now this is what's going on: Throughout dozens and dozens of articulate, well thought out, agonized-over emails I have done my best to educate her about transsexuality (PFLAG, pamphlets, .pdfs, websites, books). I've tried as well as I know how to explain why I am doing this, and most importantly: that **I am doing this**, regardless of people's objections.
**My question is this:**
How do I respond to the answer that my mother invariably gives which is *"You just don't get it"*.
*"It"* for all I've been able to pry out of her is the realization that what I am doing is wrong and that everyone is going to think I'm a heathen. I've tried to explain to her that I get *"It"* very well and that my decision is made in spite of . Nothing will change my mind in this wide world. I've explicitly explained that I am a transsexual and being hated, disowned, shunned, or blamed for hurt will not change that.
She responds to all of that again with *"You just don't get it"* or *"you don't understand me"*.
I've overcome my frustration with this as it's been going on for months and I just received an e-mail this morning with the same accusation. Aside from being patient and slowly chipping away at her resolve to not accept who I am, does anyone have any suggestions for what to say to *"You just don't get it"*.
Here's a list of things I've already tried:
* But I *do* get it, and I'm doing this anyway.
* What do I not get? Please explain it to me so that I understand you better.
* Actually, Mom, I think maybe it's you who doesn't get it.
* Son of a bitch, will you listen to me for Christ's sake??!!
Also it should be noted that I haven't explained to her that I'm taking hormones yet. I wanted to wait until she began to accept the premise. I figure if she can't acknowledge what I've already told her, how is telling her I have boobs going to help? (Although maybe it would.)
Another thing to note: My mother won't talk to anyone. She acts insulted when I suggest friends of mine, or friends parents that she could talk to. She also won't speak to an outreach person or a professional. I do not know if she has read any of the articles I've sent her. It seems she seeks out articles from sources she prefers. Religiously biased sources and things like conversion therapy... yea...
*Bad ( but funny) Idea:* What I'd really *like* to do is to take a picture of me with my shirt off and show her that I have breasts. I'd love to see her try to deny those. But something tells me that might be counterproductive...
Thank you for reading :) (And sorry this was so long) | 22 | [
{
"body": "It honestly sounds the other way around, that she just doesn't get it and that she doesn't \"understand\" you. It really looks as if you've tried to do everything you can to help her through the process.\n\nI think your mom needs to realize this isn't about her and that it's going to be this way, whether she likes it or not. So she's got two options: accept it and move on *or* not accept it and continue to make an issue of it.\n\nI'm not trans, so I really can't give you any solid advice. I really hope things work out for you.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": " Introduce her to other parents whose children are in similar situations. DO IT GENTLY. Let her meet nice Mrs So and So a few times first and then tell her that she has a ftM child too. Try to hide your frustration (I know the effort would permanantly mark my face lol:)) . Im betting that your Mom finds confrontation very stressful.\r\n\r\n\r\nGrown ups of a certain age and upbringing would rather shoot themselves in face than seek help explicitly. A lot of them are also more lilkely to listen to almost anyone else in the world than their children. No doubt in her mind you're the one with the problem.\r\n\r\n\r\nI come from an Irish Catholic (as in from Ireland) family where talking about things is like letting a bomb off in the room. I'm just a simple gay man though. Trans peeps get the rawest deal going from society. Best of luck ! \r\n\r\n Once she has a peer to relate to everything will slowly change;",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Hey, I'm a New Yorker trans woman too!\n\nI read through your responses to others and it seems to me that you're doing just about everything right that you can do from a distance. I add that qualifier because there's something to be said for the power of her having to see it every day as opposed to your transition being invisible and 300+ miles away from her.\n\nYour mother is actually doing a lot better than my father did when I came out but because I had to remain at home at the time he grudgingly began to cope with reality. Changes came fast and it was harder and harder for him to look at me and see the boy he thought was his son, harder to hear my voice and hear the old me, harder still to deny the court ordered name change he found himself holding in his hands one day.\n\nI didn't do any of this to torment him. I actually did my best to stay out of his way and manoeuvre around his comfort zone while slowly getting him used to things, playing a careful game of brinksmanship with my transitional needs on one and and his feelings on the other. But the key was that I was there, physically. Your mother's in an excellent position to be in denial and she may well persist in this for some time due to her traditions and her physical distance from you.\n\nSome parents are also very wedded to certain ideas about their children that fly apart when they come out to them as trans. Getting used to seeing you as her daughter is going to take a good deal of time, and a good deal of reconstruction for her. She's going to need to build new memories and experiences, to be able to hear the sound of your voice in her head and to visualise you as you are when she thinks of you. That'll take a lot of time, and a lot of quality mother/daughter bonding to do by the sound of things.\n\nYour responses to her \"You just don't get it\" line are probably- save for the last one :P- the best you could do, rationally. At this juncture it'll just take time. A lot of parents, regardless of their love for their kids, become selfish at times like this and centralise what they feel they're losing over your feelings. My father told me that constantly \"Do you have any idea what you've done to me!?\" \"How could you disrespect me like this?\" \"How could you insult the family like this?\" \"You're taking away my son who I had all these hopes and dreams for.\" And of course constantly insinuating that this was hardest on him- never mind the expense and emotional strength it took to get as far as I was at the time.\n\nBut that selfishness was a natural reaction and perhaps that's what your mother thinks you're not getting. I won't defend it but I do understand why she feels as she does. Parents often feel that if you do go through with the \"sex change\" that all the previous years they've known you were for naught, or a lie, or a waste, and they may even feel like their son has died and this body snatcher took his place.\n\nI'm blessed that my mother understands there's a continuity between who I was and who I am, of course. We still reflect fondly on the past's better memories and she intuitively gets that the woman I am today was in part due to how she raised me; she knows nothing was wasted and that I just got dealt a bad hand. Your mother may come to understand that in time too, many parents ultimately do.\n\nRegrettably, too many require proof.\n\nThis proof is hard to communicate over emails and it'll be very easy for them to see what they want to see (\"a phase\" \"a trend\") in those writings. Far harder to deny would be seeing the obvious, in-person changes. And I don't mean your boobs. ::winks:: My father to this day lives in some measure of denial, but even he couldn't ignore the fact that I had more get-up-and-go than I ever had in my life; a willingness and a drive where before I appeared lazy, an enthusiasm that saw me go from being a slouch to being a 'force of nature' as my best friend's mother called me. I was suddenly rushing to go back to school and finish my education where in the past I'd made all these lazy arguments about why I shouldn't go.\n\nThat penetrated even his denial and forced him to think there was something to the psychologically ameliorating effects of transition. Your mother really does have to see for herself- and her first visit to New York is not likely to go well either, I should say. She's going to need more and more time to get used to it, and see more and more of the spiritual changes transition has brought you.\n\n>Yes, it's arguable that it's unfair of me to start making physical changes before my family knew but time's a-wasting and I'm not getting any younger.\n\nDon't think that, hun. Undeniably it might make things harder, yes, and you do have to contend with your family's sense of ownership of your person, but you're an adult and it's your right to accept who you are and act on it. We face an enormous number of risks as trans women and the sooner you start your journey, and start your treatment, the better. In time your family will understand it was the right choice.\n\nIt doesn't *sound* like they're the disowning type, but you know best of course.\n\nI should say I also found a great deal of strength in my extended family. My mother's side was very supportive and this cowed my father even further. Everyone around him was calling me by my new name and with female pronouns and such. It made it even harder for him to deny. What's more? All of the family members talked glowingly about how much I'd changed. Not physically, though I did get compliments on that, but emotionally. How much happier I'd seemed, how much more engaged and conversational I was, how much more alive I was; one aunt said I had a glow about me that wasn't there before, and even though none of them were experts on transgender issues they agreed that if it made me this happy, it must've been the right move for me to make and screw everyone else.\n\nDo you have any relatives who you think might be cool with this? If you can show them how your life is better now as a result of your self-acceptance, they might be able to help you convince your mother that this is actually for the best.\n\nAnyway, sorry for going on so long but it's a complicated matter for sure. :)",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "After reading what you wrote, I began drawing a lot of parallels with my own relationship with my mother. I think one of the differences is that in my situation, my mother is actually, legitimately insane.\n\nThat's not a remark made lightly, but through our relationship, I could tell her that the sky was blue, and the grass was green, and she'd say that I was wrong, or that's somehow \"not true\". I could have conversations with her, witnessed by other people, and she would say a few hours later that the conversation never happened. It got to the point where it was unbearable. She'd sit in dark rooms and stare at walls, I'd try to talk to her, but there was nothing there to talk to. She would beat the crap out of me, and then wonder why I was bleeding and crying. We don't talk anymore, and my family lives really far away, so I'm not going to tell them about me being trans, or anything. \n\nThough, if you're closer to your family than I am to mine, I can imagine that it's a pretty big issue for you.\n\nIn any case, your mother doesn't seem quite that bad. She's clearly just having a hard time coming to terms with her own sense of self/religion/values/whatever. Sometimes, when people are faced with huge changes, they shut down, and fail to properly cope. Her perception of her own personal values and morals may be so deeply ingrained in her personality, that she can't react at all. It's unhealthy, for sure, but I guess that's the way it is.\n\nThis might not be good advice, as I don't completely understand your relationship, but if it were me, I'd just say something like *\"Mom, I'm your daughter, and I love you. I really want to stay in contact with you, and want to be a part of your life. However, you really need to talk to me about this. Say **something** meaningful (even if it's not what I want to hear). All that matters right now is that we're really talking, and not just exchanging pleasantries.*\n\nPerhaps she needs to be clearly told that ignoring the situation isn't going to make it go away. Identify that you love her very much, and until there is meaningful dialogue, nobody can move forward. \n\nAgain, that might just be a bad idea. It seems that traditional methods aren't working too well, though, and you might want to be a bit more direct. \n\nedit: Just read AnnArchist's post, and I think she's right. Inviting her to spend some time in the city sounds fantastic!\n\nBest of luck to you!",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE not understand how most of Reddit finds Craig Ferguson hilarious? | I admit I haven't seen all that much of his show, but I've caught bits of him on TV a handful of times and when there are links to his show on Reddit I'll bite. Everything I've seen of him so far is not very funny. Not Jimmy Fallon bad, but definitely nothing special IMO. | 17 | [
{
"body": "I think what people like about him is not so much the funny bit, but the warmth that he seems to exude. Dude just seems like a genuinely good guy Also, he's the best interviewer on Late Night.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Craig Ferguson becomes like an old friend. Not always at the peak of hilarity, but comforting and charming at the end of a long day.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I've "worked" 20 hours a week last month and made 40 hours a week worth of wages successfully. Why aren't more people doing this? | **Edit:** It was suggested that I make this sound less spam like, so I'll say it now. **This is not Spam**. That is all. Now back to the original text.
**Original:** I managed to work at my pace, when I wanted, on what I wanted, and supported my family and covered our comforts. I've done this consistently for several months running.
I used to make more and work harder for years, but am finding the level that I am happy with. This cutting back of hours and even rate has been an experiment that I'm very happy with. I feel like I'm starting to strike the right balance for both me and my clients. My life is just as easy and challenging as I want it to be right now.
Yet I can't convince many of my friends to do the same. Why do people except less pay, more hours, and a crappy job, when they know there's better out there; and they know people are willing to integrate them into the process of freeing themselves?
**Edit:** Just a note for people. I do work a high end market. I'm a programmer, mostly web based. However, this is a trade anyone with enough ingenuity could do. When in the position as a project manager, I will hire people who have the talent, but not the knowledge or experience, at the same rate I work at, with 14+ years of experience, and train them to do what they need to do.
The point of the post is not what I do, but why other people don't look to see how they can do the same. My trade requires my mind, a laptop, and a way to upload a project to a server (which I usually manage). Other people have other skills and can find ways to make it happen for them. They don't because they are leashed to the mythos of insurance, stability, and respect. At least that is my experience.
I'm wondering if others have a view on this. I really want to help others to free themselves at least to this degree. | 8 | [
{
"body": "Pretty much any job that anyone can do with only a laptop is already extremely competitive, if not completely worthless.\n\nIf you did train everyone who is unhappy with their job to do web design, the value of web designers would just plunge to minimum wage.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Unfortunately this isn't even a choice for most folks of lower economic class. People in this class are too busy working to survive. They accept shit jobs because these are the only ones available to those of us with no trade or school experience. \n\nI wish it were just that easy but it doesn't work like that. Growing up I watched my mother slave at a crappy fast food restaurant. Her and every one of her friends were too busy working to live. Working to be happy wasn't even a concept that seemed possible. When minimum wage is the only thing in your range as a single parent of four, your choices are extremely limited. My mother is a smart woman. Incredibly resourceful. I suppose you kind of have to be. She speaks four languages. \n\nOur system isn't setup to maximize happiness. It's setup to maximize productivity at the lowest possible cost to those higher up the capitalist ladder. \n\nYou've found a way that provides a comfortable life for you while maintaining your happiness and I'm happy for you. Truly, I am. However, to stand in awe or bewilderment that others cannot do the same, well, that seems a bit disingenuous or at best just plain ignorant to how things really are. \n\n>The point of the post is not what I do, but why other people don't look to see how they can do the same.\n\nBecause this isn't the land of opportunity and most folks are not fortunate to have that choice. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
How much sleep do you need a night? | I pretty much feel like dammit unless I get 9 hours of sleep each night. I wake up at 5:30, get dressed, and am in my car driving 20 minutes to work and usually get there by 6:00. I get off at 3:30, go home, eat dinner, go to the gym, shower and am in bed by 8 or 9 at the latest. I exercise, eat pretty well, don’t drink coffee or soda, just green tea and water or juice, don’t drink more than a glass of wine or a couple beers, and don’t exercise, drink or do anything strenuous right before bed. I’m almost 26 so I feel like I should be done with that teenage/college I sleep till noon everyday phase.
I have read that 9 hours of sleep is good for your skin, sleep increases your BMR and people who sleep 5 hours are 86% more likely to be obese than people who sleep 8+ hours.
Am I weird for sleeping this much? Are there ways of convincing your body you need less sleep?
| 6 | [
{
"body": "College has pretty much conditioned me to be able to go through the day without being tired with 6-7 hours of sleep a night. Of course on the weekends that gets bumped up to 10 hours..",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I find I am still quite functional on 5 or 6 hours, but not on a continual basis. After 2 or 3 days with that much I start getting overtired, and need 8 or 9. I am 24 if that matters.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I sleep about 8-9 hours each night and I am always energetic and generally in a good mood. I think it does make a difference in the way I feel. If I don't get enough sleep, I'm tired, cranky, bitchy and unhappy. \r\n\r\nI used to be able to go out and drink till the sun came up and then go to work and struggle through my day. Some people can do it and manage. \r\n\r\nI'm not one of those people and plus, I'm a total early bird. I get up naturally at 6 in the morning. The only drawback is getting sleepy around 8 or 9pm. \r\n\r\nOverall...fucking worth every precious hour of sleep. It does make a huge difference in my day. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Anyone got a vid where the girl is too tight to take it? | I'm not looking for vids with a monstrosity cock, or a massive dildo. Just a vid where she is too tight for the cock. | 15 | [
{
"body": "[Rule #34 saved.](http://www.pornhub.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a0f5e506740db32d16b9)\n\nIt's only 20 sec though.",
"score": 5
}
]
|
Any RISK-like games with more countries? | I'm looking for a game that plays like Risk but with more countries, as in a lot more countries, as in an accurate globe. Anyone ever heard of this? | 26 | [
{
"body": "http://www.conquerclub.com/\n\nonline games vs strangers, it has mutliple boards and is browser based...\n\ncheck it out",
"score": 32
},
{
"body": "Lux Deluxe. If it's not in the main game, you will be able to find a map for download. Great game:\n\n[Lux](http://sillysoft.net/lux/)",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Well, I'll plug my own (free) game: [WarLight](http://warlight.net). My Earth map has ~160 countries. For more extremes, there's also a Double Earth and Quad Earth (>600 countries).",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Probably not what you are looking for, but anyone else play diplomacy? I freaking love that game. They have a version that works fairly well on Facebook",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "can't believe no one has suggested this yet.. Try Risk 2210, it adds... The moon! Plus all the continents are more interesting, and they have added a couple of new mechanics to the game. I also like in the beginning you pick 5 or so countries that are irradiated, therefore can't be taken. Can be interesting for border disputes etc. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Where is the best Ethiopian food in Portland? | ...and who would be interested in meeting up later this week or weekend to test theories?
**EDIT: Thursday (1/14/10), 7pm, [Mudai](http://www.ethiopianrestaurant.com/oregon/mudai.html).** Please comment on [the meetup thread](http://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/ap9hw/reddit_meetup_ethiopian_thursday_night_114_7_pm/) if you plan on coming! | 15 | [
{
"body": "I love Jarra's first and Mudai second. I'd be down for getting Ethiopian, I wouldn't feel obligated to drink.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I haven't tried every place or anything, but Horn of Africa is where I used to go. Queen of Sheba's good, too, or at least it was a couple years ago when I last went. There's also a little cafe-like place called E'Njoni that I tried last year that was absolutely scrumptious. I haven't been to any of these places recently, however.\n\nDammit. Now I have a huge craving.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "In case anybody is on the fence about attending a Reddit meetup don't forget how awesome the last one was: http://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/an2ce/pictures_from_tonights_meetup_it_was_fun/\n\n:)",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "[Queen of Sheba](http://www.queenofsheba.biz/) and [Dalo's Kitchen](http://www.daloskitchen.com) are the two we go to. Or rather, it seem like when we go out, it's Queen of Sheba, but when we want take-out to feed a crowd, we pick it up from Dalo's.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I haven't been out to enough to decide, but I'm writing this comment to try to keep track of the convo to see if I can make it. Hopefully I can count on Jake the Baptist to reply so it doesn't get lost ;)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Mmmm Jarra's. The worst thing about Ethiopian food is the gas the next day. I can clear a room and bring tears to peoples eyes. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Hey reddit, do you think there's such thing as a truly selfless good deed? If so, what would it look like? | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MV9ElXczjg&feature=PlayList&p=09D160E18B69D0FE&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=81
Has anyone seen this Friends episode? Where Phoebe tries to find just one selfless good deed that exists to prove Joey's theory wrong that there are no un-selfish good deeds. Well, it got me thinking. I wonder if selfless deeds CAN exist. Something like charity or volunteering, we do to make ourselves feel good in addition to helping other people, right? Aren't we always partially motivated by some self-interest? And even dying for a cause, like knowing you're going to be a martyr and leave behind a legacy of being a hero, does that count as self-interest? How can you ever really know if a person is acting out of complete altruism or is even capable of doing so... | 6 | [
{
"body": "You would never notice it, because calling attention to a good deed is the real world equivalent of \" please upvote\"\n\nEDIT: oh, nothing personal but I had to downvote you for linking to/watching friends. ",
"score": 4
}
]
|
What game genre do you want to see more of? | After reading [this](http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/ao57n/wtf_happened_to_the_rts/) post about the lack of good RTS games of late, I'd like to know what other game genres Redditors miss. It seems that many of the games coming out now lean towards the FPS variety. Take FO3 for instance, it may not be hard-core 100% FPS, but it's definitely a shift from the RPG isometric original Fallout.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not hating on FPS. Halflife was stellar, and I really enjoyed FO3. Some of my favorite games are FPS. But variety is the spice of life.
So, Reddit, what genre do you miss? RTS? God games? RPG? Flight sims? Construction games (SimCity)? Hell, side scollers?
To kick things off, I would love to see more turn based squad games. I'm not sure what you call them, but games like XCOM, Fallout Tactics, etc.
| 11 | [
{
"body": "We probably need more MMOs.\n\n* Everyone can afford paying for 4+ MMOs at the same time. \n* They're highly innovative, each one is completely different than the others.\n* The gameplay isn't repetitive in any way.\n* MMO communities are always so friendly and helpful.\n* Your actions have real impact on the gameworld.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "JRPG (turn based, heavily plot oriented, not super sandbox)\n\nMaybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but I miss turn based RPGs.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Honestly, I would like to see more from the Steampunk genre. Probably something like Arcanum, but a Fallout 3 type game could be awesome too.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "More games like Baldur's Gate, Freespace, Supreme Commander and Elderscrolls. Oh and Homeworld, definitely at least another game like Homeworld and don't tell me sins of a solar empire, it's a good game but it's not Homeworld.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Real, genuine, honest-to-goodness point-and-click adventure games in the Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion/Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandago tradition. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Shmups.\n\nThere's been a bit of a revival as of late... Omega 5 comes to mind. I'd love to see another game like Under Defeat though...",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I want more cross-genre games like Savage. The RTS/FPS cross in particular. I don't think Savage did it very well, but it was really fun for a few hours.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I'd love to see more games with movement like Mirror's Edge.\n\nAn open-world sandbox game with ME-style movement would be too badass for words.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Point-and-click adventure games.\n\nAction-adventure side scrollers in the vein of Super Metroid and SotN. (Shadow Complex seemed good from what I've played.)\n\nAnd of course, like many others here, I miss space games like X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I'd like to see more tactics games and more RPGs that emulate pen and paper style correctly. I don't have anything against real time or action RPGs, but turn based is good too and woefully underrepresented.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Anything co-op, but I enjoy RTS and FPS co-op the most. DOWII and L4D have basically turned me off to competitive multiplayer and showed me that I have WAY more fun playing cooperatively with a group of friends than trying to compete with random names. Nothing can ruin a round of gaming like getting whored by an opposing team until it makes me upset; co-op gameplay mostly eliminates that for me.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm going to say Bullet Hell Shmups on the PC. I'm quite familiar with Kenta Cho's stuff (ABA games), I have a few CAVE arcade roms (e.g., Guwange, ESP. Ra.De) and own Ikaruga on GameCube. I have also played some Touhou demos (Perfect Cherry Blossom, etc.), but I want some real high quality titles available on Steam. Even console gamers get screwed because a lot of good stuff is available only in Japan.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Favorite breakfast foods? | Not sure what to eat for breakfast today. Eggs? Pancakes? But then again what are your favorite breakfast foods??? | 25 | [
{
"body": "Two eggs over easy, hash brows, corn-beef hash, two pieces buttered wheat toast, large glass of milk small glass of orange juice.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "A pound of smoked salmon, a big cup of green tea and a few bong rips is, IMO, the perfect start to a perfect day.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "Lately I've been doing muffins - orange cranberry walnut seems to be AWESOME.\n\nOr cottage cheese with tomato. Mmmm.\n\nOr the traditional awesome Jewish breakfast - bagel + cream cheese + lox + tomato + onion.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Whole wheat bagel with hummus, sauteed onions, a slice of tomato, avocado, and some freshly cracked black pepper. ",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "My favorite weekend breakfast is now:\n\n*Waffles with either pecans or smoked gouda cheese cooked into them\n\n*Poached eggs over the top\n\n*Sauteed spinach, mushrooms and onions (little bit of red wine vinegar during sauteeing)\n\n*Hard cheese like parmesan shredded over the top\n\n*Fresh fruit- berries and stuff\n\n*Coffee\n\n*Mimosas\n\nGranted, this takes some time, but not as long as you might think. Plus the leftover waffles are great to take to work. \nJust got a blender and have been making some killer yogurt-fruit smoothies. \n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Migas.\n\nEggs scrambled with tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheese and tortilla chips, served with beans and breakfast potatoes. Add corn tortillas on the side to wrap it all up and some spicy salsa to top it off and... Yum.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Denver omelet, with pepperjack cheese, cooked burrito style on a flattop griddle served with well-done potatoes o'brian cooked in butter and a crispy english muffin with raspberry jam. Also my last meal choice.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Oatmeal (quick rolled is fine, just no instant crap) made with 1/4 of the liquid being milk, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and at the end of cooking a couple of drops of vanilla. Yum.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Steel cut oats - boil them for 5 minutes before bedtime, cover and let sit overnight. Finish cooking in the morning and then add protein powder, frozen berries, oat bran, a bit of splenda. Fantastic...",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Nothing beats the breakfast burrito. Scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheddar, ham, fresh avo, and loaded with sriracha.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Eggs and bacon is my goto choice for breakfast. Since eggs can go from shelled to cooked in about 3 minutes, they're great. Plus versatile as hell!\n\nSomeone in foodit or cookit suggested putting a little cream cheese in scrambled eggs the other week. I tried that and loved it, so do that.\n\nFor me, it's hard to beat eggs that are cooked just right (and I'm good at doing that). From there you can't go wrong with additions.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Savory muffins-- they're sadly hard to come by in cafes in the states, so I have to whip up my own. \nBasically I just make cornbread batter and add whatever I have on hand-- bacon/ham/breakfast sausage/chorizo, cheddar, and some veggies. Roasted red peppers, olives, green onions etc are just delicious. \nI've never been a fan of sweet breakfasts but don't normally have the appetite for a whole bacon-egg-hash brown fry-up, so this is my best option. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Pork products. If there were a pyramid, Bacon would be at the top, but ham, country ham, sausage in many of its forms all have their place.\r\n\r\nCorned Beef Hash. With a couple of over easy eggs on top.\r\n\r\nGrits. Yes, I come from the South. We tend to like them best when they're made with milk rather than water, and when there's a lot of butter involved.\r\n\r\nYou said favorite, not healthy.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Breakfast sandwich.\n1 egg over easy\n3 slices of bacon\n2 pieces of lightly toasted and buttered bread. \n\nI Eat this almost every day.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Eggs Benedict. I love runny eggs, so a really soft poached egg is key. The nooks and crannies of the english muffin really soak up the yolk. Add on a couple medium-sliced REAL bacon (not that packaged crap in the grocery store) and that heaven!\n\nOf course, poaching eggs, making hollandaise, and all that can be a hassle at times, so another go to is bagel, cream cheese, smoked salmon.\n\nCream cheese is mixed up with some chives and roasted garlic. I'll make a container full for the week and it seems to get better as the week progresses. Salmon, smoked using [this salmon candy recipe.](http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=23&p=2179&hilit=1241#p2179)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Savory crepes with havarti, brie/Camembert, mortadella and sautéed onions, topped with japanese mayo and avocados, served with some earl grey tea. Sweet crepes with bananas and nutella, strawberries on the side and fresh juice. Grilled cheese sandwich - havarti, brie, parmesan and some fresh herbs on good, fresh whole grain bread - and two soft-boiled eggs (topped with soy sauce and japanese seven pepper mix) and some strong coffee.\n\nProblem is I'm always too lazy to wake up early to make breakfast. :(\n\n*edit: Spelling",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Two eggs over easy, hashbrowns, bacon, and (preferably) rye toast. I've only come around to liking runny eggs a couple of years ago since thinking about them during my teens, so I still need a substrate to pair the eggs with, hence the toast. The flavor is unbeatable, though.\n\nBacon goes without saying, and hashbrowns are bacon's uglier, non-meat sister.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "okay, here's my favourite decadent weekend breakfast. it's based on the english breakfast, the crowning culinary achievement of that much-maligned nation.\n\nprep: coarsely chop a tomato. slice some mushrooms. put coffee to steep. slice some sharp cheddar.\n\ncooking: fry some good bacon. when it's getting nicely crispy, put bread (ideally whole wheat) in the toaster to toast lightly. add the mushrooms to cook in the bacon fat. when the bacon is done, remove it and the mushrooms, put them on a paper towel to drain. fry an egg in the bacon fat. when the egg is done to your liking, remove it onto your plate, and toss in the tomatoes. when the tomatoes are done you're good to go. pour out a mug of coffee and a glass of orange juice, butter the toast, dump the bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes onto your plate, pepper the egg and eat up.\n\nif you live anywhere near a penzeys, their sunny paris mix makes a great addition. sprinkle it pnto the tomato as you're frying it.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Need some interior painting help... | so we're wanting to do a faux finish (color wash) in one of our rooms but are having trouble finding guidance on base and glaze color combos that work well together. any ideas on where we could find some examples of different color combos to get us started? | 6 | [
{
"body": "If you plan on doing the painting yourself. Pick up a couple 1/4 sheets of drywall and practice on those. Figure out exactly what to do in each step then you'll save a bunch of time and headache when actually painting. \n",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "My local Lowes homecenter has a section with free faux painting brochures with how-to guides and textured samples on display. It was helpful. Also, a large Benjamin Moore store (not a hardware store but a Benjamin Moore store that sells only PAINT/wall paper/etc) will usually have a free color picker person that will dispense brilliant free advice and help quite a bit with choosing colors and technique. I've been in and out of my local shop quite a bit and the help has been not only free but extremely useful. Best of luck.",
"score": 5
}
]
|
Thanks /r/relationship advice. | I posted about problems I had with my girlfriend about a month ago on reddit wherein I was informed that I was enabling her and what not. It was incredibly rocky, but I stopped showing a willingness to get back together with her when she broke up with me the last few times and she finally realized that what she was doing was wrong.
I deleted the post because it was cripplingly embarrassing just how poorly I was handling our verbal quarrels before, but I wanted to express my thanks anyways. | 37 | [
{
"body": "I feel the same way, for us introverted late bloomer types this subreddit is a gold mine of information!",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "FYI, anyone can look at your profile and see that you responded to comments a month ago as the submitter and read it all. There is not really such a thing as a \"deleted\" post on reddit. You should really just delete the whole account if you want to achieve something closer to that.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Help Me Bring the Atheist Bus Ads to Atlanta, GA | Hello Reddit Atheism. I run the site Godlessblogger.com and I live in the good ol' south. Recently I have become interested in bringing the ATheist Bus Ads here to Atlanta, but I am unsure how. I know I'll need about $5000 in donations and probably a separate website. Does anybody know how I could go about doing this? I've emailed groups, but haven't gotten too much information. Would you be interested in donating? I could probably get them all as tax deductible and even $5 would be immensely helpful. Anything you know that could help would be useful. :) | 56 | [
{
"body": "Atlantian here as well. Would love to hear and see the scoffs when passing by MARTA and CCT buses xD!\nIf you get a donation going, make sure to post it here. I have cash I need to write off this year, and would like to give it to children or people who use their brains.",
"score": 5
}
]
|
I saw Food Inc. this weekend, and was shocked and disturbed because I didn't know the situation was that bad. I have now lost whatever faith I had left in free markets (which wasn't much to begin with), and maybe humanity as a whole. | I am no environmentalist/PETA person, but I was shocked at the way the big food companies treat animals. Shocked how the food we eat is so bad for you and yet we (or at least I did) continue eating it without questioning it. I can't imagine how the top executives at big firms can live knowing the food they sell is not safe and they are killing people everyday due to the toxicity. | 5 | [
{
"body": "The US does not have and has not had for a century a least a free market in anything agricultural. Massive subsidies, Monsanto Patents, Farm board policies, Import Tariffs, price supports, tax policies, Bureau of Land Management, on and on. These are all examples of GOVERNMENT policies that are designed to distort the forces of the free market system and to reward the politically connected AgriOpoly and screw the consumer out of real food choices.",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Yo, Reddit, sup. My boss at work just gave me about ten dress shirts he no longer wants, for free. What's an appropriate response to his generosity? | I just moved to the South and would like to make sure I handle this correctly! Thanks. He said a joint would be sufficient but I think I should do a LITTLE more than that. | 7 | [
{
"body": "Wear them around the office, then whenever something little annoys you, get really angry and tear it off.",
"score": 20
},
{
"body": "You could save him (and yourself) the awkward conversation which is no doubt coming your way and just give him recordings of yourself dancing in the shirts and wearing nothing else.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "Get off Reddit for a couple of hours and do some of the work he is paying you for.\n\nOr go the beer route.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Take some Hops and feed it to some marijuana. Harvest the marijuana and roll a joint. Smoke the joint and make some beer. Drink the beer. Give him the shirt that you ralphed on.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Say \"thanks\" and mean it. He doesn't want you to give him anything in return; in fact that would detract from his gesture. By giving you his old clothes he's simultaneously making a show of his generosity and showing his social status is higher than yours by giving you his cast-offs.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "So about that joint thing... have you guys smoked before? Does he have weed? I ask because I am in now and have had jobs before where my boss always tries to score weed off me. I am open about smoking and I deal with big league guys, so given enough time, bosses would always come to me looking for pot. What my rambling is getting at here is that your boss might just be desperately looking for a good pot hookup. Pot hookups become harder to find with age. I say fuck the joint. Get him a full eighth (should be worth it for the shirts) and say you can hook him up in the future if he needs it. Two weeks later if he's coming to you for an ounce, you've got job security for life.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
What should I put on an electronics-reference-poster? | I want to put a nice poster (ca. 2x1m) on the wall right behind my workbench, containing the most important stuff I need. So far I'm going to put there (list in no special order):
* [Color code of resistors](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_color_code)
* [E-series](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferred_number#E_series:_Capacitors_and_resistors)
* SI-Prefixes
* Some (PC-)plug-pinouts (serial/parallel DB9/25, Centronics, PS/2, ATX, USB, JTAG)
* [Capacitor codes](http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Capacitor_Color_Codes)
* [Circuit symbols](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_symbol)
* List of the 7400 family, incl some pinouts
* List of the 4000 family, incl some pinouts
* Wire-gauge table
* Table of needed PCB-track-widths for some currents
* Some example characteristic curves
* Table of reciprocals
* Suggested RPMs for various [Proxxon-drills/bits](http://www.proxxon.com/)
* Maybe using a bar with [Gray-Code](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_code) as border for the whole thing
I plan on doing this in [Inkscape](http://www.inkscape.org/), and if the result is somewhat usable, I'll of course put it here.
What other lists/tables/diagrams do you suggest for such a reference poster? What would you like to see?
**Edit**: Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions! There were a lot of "oh, right, how I could I forget those", but also things that I've never heard of before (Smith-chart looks really cool!) | 19 | [
{
"body": "Voltage regulator pinouts in various packages (TO-220, SO-8 etc), opamps too. 555 Timer pinout and info.\n\nAll of the standard electronics formula\n\nImperial<>metric conversion table for PCB (so mm<>thous)\n\nSMD Fooptint (0805, Case A etc) names imperial and metric.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "A simple smith chart indicating in which direction a point is moved by adding a parallel or series cap or inductor is always handy. If I can't remember I use some app in linux (*gtk smith chart* or something like that).",
"score": 3
}
]
|
So after picking it up during the Steam Sale, I just finished Braid. I don't normally use the term 'brilliant' to describe a game, but... | There need to be more games like this. Absolutely superb in concept, execution, and elegant simplicity. Brilliant. | 9 | [
{
"body": "Do yourself a favour if you haven't done this already: do not read any interview with the creator, do not try and read various interpretations of the story or ending, do ignore every mention of stars in Braid. It ruined the game for me somewhat. It's a really, really good game, but the author is an unbearable, pretentious idiot.\r\n\r\nBy the way, Yahtzee's review of Braid was for me one of the greatest videos he's done. He summed this dilemma neatly.",
"score": 10
}
]
|
Will pros use the Direct Hit? | I was wondering if you knew whether or not they were using it? Personally I still use the old one cause I like my splash damage.
Edit: Pro meaning competitively
Edit2: http://communityfortress.com/tf2/blog/blog-mob-and-blight-take-a-direct-hit.php | 18 | [
{
"body": "I doubt it. At the very most they'll probably only run one soldier with the direct hit per team. Splash damage + buff banner is simply too good to waste. In addition, it's very hard for a soldier with the DH to take down a dodging scout-- which means it's a terrible gun for a pocket to protect it's medic with. Finally, yes airshots are pretty, but not worth it.",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "I don't know who you mean by \"pros\" but everyone and their brother seems to think it's the cat's pajamas. But right along with the targe, it makes players using the new weapons an instant DQ for uber/kritz. ",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "More than likely. I've seen a few pro vids of guys getting caught with the direct hit in mid-air/during movement and it destroys every time.\n\nAlthough I have no firsthand experience with the thing because I CANT GET IT TO F'N DROP.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Yes, I play competitively in the ETF2L, and the Direct Hit is being used actively by the teams. There might, however, be limit of 1 per team implemented as it stands (much like the 1-FaN-limit).\n\nOn a side-note, I have not seen the Buff Banner being used so far. Most Soldiers prefer the shotgun to finish off damaged & weak opponents.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I have talked to my friend who plays professionally about this. He told me that assuming that they allow it in competitive play, (which I think is very likely) people still will not use it. Why you might ask? Because some big percentage (I can't even remember) of damage in games is from splash damage. The pro players know how to dodge the rockets and take little to no damage if the DH is being used against them. The effectiveness of the DH is further diminished if the players work in groups where splash damage is more effective. Admittedly, the DH is only good against idiot people who have no idea how to airblast, strafe, or look out for danger. So, in short, no, the DH will not be used in competitive play.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I imagine that in general it would be pocket/normal and roaming/DH, for the same reasons demo doesn't pocket. Although the best pockets could probably get away with using the DH, most won't.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "DH is used by some roaming soldiers but the pocket needs the splash damage provided by the normal rocket launcher, try stopping a scout from getting a medic pick when you need to be accurate. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I received a message on OKCupid from a girl with muscular dystrophy. She actually is pretty cute and we have a lot in common. | She's cute, seems ambitious, is in my town and we actually have a lot in common based on what's written on her profile. I've actually known people with muscular dystrophy before so it's not entirely foreign to me. However, I couldn't see myself having a relationship with someone like this. I realize it's premature to even worry about this being that I haven't even replied to her message yet but I would like to know how most people would react in this situation.
Additionally, I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has dated someonewith muscular dystrophy or similar and what it was like. | 22 | [
{
"body": "Put yourself in her shoes. She is putting herself out on the line in the hopes that someone might be interested. Imagine all the shallow people that have either ignored or openly ridiculed her in the past. Then think about what it would mean to her if you gave her a shot. You're not marrying the gal, just going on a date. Go for it. ",
"score": 117
},
{
"body": "Don't pity-date her, but don't let her disability stop you from going on a date if you like her. You might find it's much less of a barrier than you initially imagined.",
"score": 26
},
{
"body": "You say you have a lot in common, I say write back, meet up, and maybe grab some coffee, or dinner. \n\nDon't do so out of pity, but out of hope of finding a new friend. Maybe that will go somewhere farther down the road, maybe it won't. But don't pass on an opportunity to meet a cool chick just because you don't think you'd work out as a couple.",
"score": 25
},
{
"body": "I think you're actually in a bit of a tight spot here. My gut reaction when I read your post was that of concern for how your reaction will stand to affect her.\n\n* If you fail to respond or decline her invite it may certainly sting. As you've said there is a good deal in common, but she may still be depressed or disappointed if you don't respond positively.\n\n* If you respond positively and agree to continue talking or even go on a date, but do so purely out of pity she will likely catch on and potentially be even more hurt as you are leading her on.\n\n* If you respond positively, communicate effectively, and perhaps even go so far as meeting in person you may end up developing a relationship (romantic or otherwise) that can be a positive experience for you, and at the very least a confidence builder for her.\n\n\nWhile you did not force her to join the site or send you a message, you should think about her feelings and not just your own when you decide how to react. Having muscular dystrophy doesn't give you a free pass to write her off or treat her with any less civility, so whatever you do, do it tactfully, openly, and honestly. If you think that pursuing a friendship or more is possible go ahead and do it, and consider talking with her about your reservations. As elementary as it seems, many people are shocked how much good can be done when you communicate honestly and respectfully with another person.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "When my wife and I start dating 7 years ago, she told me she had [Huntington's Disease](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington's_disease) (like a cross between parkinson's disease and alzheimer's and not there is no cure) on the first date. I still wanted to date her. Her mother was dying of it and passed away 1 year after we started dating. So, I knew what is in store for my wife and what I would have to go through. Still married and will celebrate our 3 year anniversary this April. We did decide not to have kids though and I love her very much.\r\n\r\nDon't let a disease which could take years to take your soulmate's life be a distraction to you both being happy. You could walk across the street and get killed by someone tomorrow, so keep that in mind. Live for today.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "I had to read this just cause you are one of the many on okcupid like myself, a similar story is I ran into a girl that was missing both arms on there. As it turns out she was just like everyone else when you got down to it, never really figured out how she typed everything out, but due to her disability she wasnt cocky due to her looks and was really down to earth. I suggest you give it a shot, what do you have to lose. ",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "I ran into this when I was seventeen. Cute blonde girl in my college computer class. She was sweet, cute, fun, interesting, and nineteen. \n\nShe also could barely walk.\n\nIt really didn't affect the relationship much, but one thing did. She couldn't have sex. She had so little muscle movement below her waste that she was impossibly tight. It hurt even for a pinky finger to be in her. She was about 5'7, 110lbs, but totally locked out. \n\nWe did other things of course but it did get to be an issue (for a 17yo boy). We ended up splitting up after a month or two of dating. \n\nShe ended up getting married to a guy a year or two later and they have have kids now so I guess she had surgery or something. \n\n",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "contact her. express your concerns. ask her to educate you on what being in a relationship with her would be like. go from there.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Dusting off my throwaway account to chime in here. I'm this guy: \n\nhttp://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/9zjgo/i_am_a_victim_of_agent_orange_ama/ \n\nI did online dating for several years and the beginning was very intimidating. I applaud her for being so upfront about it. I never revealed my physical problems until it looked like we'd meet in person and then I'd let them know and hold my breath. Granted, it's probably a little different because I'm a guy but every single woman I told was perfectly cool with it and I had some great experiences. \n\nMy advice would be to let things play out and keep communicating with her to see if the interest builds. If you continue to get along then go on a date with her. You're not committing to marriage or anything and you would be amazed what it can do for her confidence. Trust me.\n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "go for it. she's cute, you have things in common, would be a fun date. take it slow and see what happens. There's no harm in going out on a date. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "If you can't have a relationship with her, ignore it.\n\nEveryone else will say the opposite... but really, you aren't doing her any favors to \"just see where it goes\".",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Is there a place online to buy low cost but awesome pieces of art? | i remember reading about a site that sends you about five paintings from contemporary artist through out the year for about 80 bucks, framed too.
note- online. I tried local artist but a bit too expensive for me. | 17 | [
{
"body": "Depends on what you are looking for.\r\n[Etsy](http://www.etsy.com) is a great site for finding all kinds of hand made treasures and art.\r\nAlso If you know any artists you might be able to ask them, I know a couple depending on what you are looking for.",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "Try [20x200](http://www.20x200.com/) \n\nThey have smaller pieces usually 8x10 for 20 bucks (limited to 200 prints, hence the name) and scale prices as size increases.\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "\"awesome\" pieces of art are never going to be as cheap as you wish. If you want to buy actual art that is affordable, but it from graduate students like me.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
How to Jailbreak. An easy step-by-step guide. | I wrote this for someone on facebook, thought reddit might like it as well.
Note: iPod, iPod touch, and iPhone are (for all intents and purposes) synonymous in this guide. It works for any of the above.
Enjoy, reddit.
**EDIT**: Misc changes.
**EDIT 2**: Changed Appulo.us and iPhonecake to Apptrackr.
~
**Here’s a step-by-step on how to jailbreak your iTouch and get some of the cool shit that comes along with it.**
**This is assuming that you have the 3.1.2 Apple firmware, as 3.1.3 does not have a jailbreak.
**Note: before we get started, if you have the iPod Touch 3g, it's a tethered jailbreak. Meaning if you ever hold down the power button and slide to power off or the batteries run out, you have to jail break it again. (You won't lose any of your apps, music or settings.)**
**Jailbreaking:**
1. Browse to http://blackra1n.com/ and download whichever version (Mac or PC) your computer uses.
2. Connect the iPod to your computer.
3. *Make sure it’s not syncing.*
4. Activate the blackra1n program.
5. Click “Make it ra1n.”
After a few seconds, it should pop up with a message that your iPod has been jailbroken. Disconnect it and let the iPod reboot.
(**At this point, if your iPod has a spinning circle on the home screen for more than 30 seconds, hold down the home and power buttons for 15 seconds, which will restart the iPod. This happened to me, it wasn’t a big deal, just re-jailbreak it.**)
At this point, you should see an app called “blackra1n” on your iPod.
**Installing Cydia:**
(Cydia is an application that works much like the App Store, except all the applications are ones that Apple did not approve.)
1. Open it.
2. Click “Cydia”.
3. Click “Install” in the upper right of the screen.
4. Hit the home button and go open the Cydia application you just installed.
5. You can now download and install apps from here.
(Please note that if you install OpenSSH on your iPod, you must set a new password, else your iPod may be compromised (via hackers or a worm). To do this, follow the simple guide on the Cydia homepage.)
Great Cydia apps to get:
* **SBsettings**
(An app that lets you swipe your finger across the top bar [the one with a clock on it] which will cause a drop down menu to come down that allows you to turn down the brightness, turn wifi on and off, turn bluetooth on, etc.)
* **Backgrounder**
(This lets you minimize apps--something Apple should have implemented a long time ago.)
* **Proswitcher**
(Lets you easily switch between minimized apps)
* **Categories**
(Lets you make folders for apps so your pages are less cluttered.)
* **Winterboard**
(Lets you mess with the appearance of the iPod, change the wallpaper behind your icons, etc.)
And one last big one, Install0us.
Install0us lets you access a database of thousands of cracked apps up for pirating.
**Installing Install0us and Appsync:**
1. Go into Cydia.
2. Hit “Manage” on the bottom bar.
3. Hit “Sources”.
4. Hit “Edit” up in the top right.
5. Click “Add” in the top left.
6. Put this into the box (that’s a zero, not an O): http://cydia.install0us.com
7. Hit “Add Source”.
(Repeat steps 1-7, but in step 6, put http://cydia.hackulo.us
8. Once it is installed, hit search on the bottom bar and search for and install “install0us”. Then search and install "Appsync".
9. Once it is installed, go back to your home screen and open Install0us.
10. Click “settings” on the bottom bar.
11. Change the Home URL to “apptracker.org/m" (No quotes.)
12. Exit and restart Install0us.
13. Enjoy free apps.
(Note: as of now, Appulo.us is ridiculously slow. Be patient.)
And, there you go. Jailbroken iPod.
**If you ever have to send your iPod back to Apple, just un-jailbreak it first. Just hook it up to your computer and hit "Restore" in iTunes. Apple can't tell you ever jailbroke it.**
Enjoy. | 79 | [
{
"body": "Nice guide.\n\n\nFor future reference (the impending doom of Appulo.us):\n\nhttp://www.theiphonespot.net/2010/01/04/appulous-closing-its-doors-welcome-apptrackr/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheIphoneSpot+%28The+Iphone+Spot%29&utm_content=Google+Reader",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Install0us is great, but having appulo.us/appdb as a homepage?! \nWhy not just use Installous? \n \nInstall0us is great because it let's you use sites don't don't take over a minute to load (appulo.us/appdb/i)! \n \nPersonally, I use AppCake's search for my install0us homepage. \n http://iphonecake.com/appcake/en/i/search.php \n \nIt usually loads within 5 seconds for me. \n \nEDIT: You didn't mention RockApp. I've used Cydia for a while now, and recently switched to RockApp on my last upgrade. RockApp is exponentially faster at loading, has a ratings system, and won't force you to reboot/respring after *every-single-app.* (it gives the option to reboot/respring upon exiting the rockapp). \n \nAlso, rockapp has a free member system (RockID). It keeps backups of what jailbroken apps, tweaks, and libraries you have installed; and lets you \"upgrade\" (after a restore) with the click of a button. \n \nI highly recommend Rock.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Since this appears to be a guide for completely new people it should be noted that devices with iBoot v359.3.2 can only accomplish a tethered jailbreak which means you have to plug your device into your computer every time you boot it. [Here's](http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=8764730&postcount=1) a guide to check your bootrom version.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "This helped me a ton. You made it very clear on how to do it, and what to do when you have \"jail-broken\" it. Thanks for a great guide!",
"score": 3
}
]
|
[6] Why the hell are chips in bags? | Chips have no business being in bags. If you put them in cans they'd be safe. Does Pringles have a patent on chip cans or what? | 17 | [
{
"body": "I came here to answer, but I can't think of a single convincing reason. I smell a letter-writing campaign.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Dude, I'm [7], I looked at the title, thought for about half a second and then laughed for two minutes.\n\nIt's so fucking obvious that they should be in cans or boxes...",
"score": 4
}
]
|
All I want to say that Startlogic webhosting is the worst webhost I have ever dealt with, avoid at all costs. | Been a costumer for almost five years (more for convenience than anything else), paying for more bandwidth than I really need, with the only requirement that my sites run smoothly and reliably. But instead I have to deal with tech support twice a month. And after bitching to their online chat support, i realize that I was talking to a bot. Now I've been on hold for more than 15 minutes so I could talk to a supervisor. /Rant | 33 | [
{
"body": "I just finished migrating all of my sites to my new linode. I'm now getting 4 times the bandwidth and 16 times the storage for $4/mo less. Granted, it wasn't nearly as easy to set up, but I learned a TON doing it. They've got great, very helpful folks in #linode for questions and a very thorough library (set of tutorials for setting up a linux host) and I'm happy as a clam.\n\n[Linode](http://www.linode.com)",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Been with Hostgator for 4 years and have never ever had any problems.\n\nThe support staff is very quick and responsive. I'm not a huge fan of cpanel which they use, but their service and quality have been topnotch.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "These are your friends: [Linode](http://www.linode.com/), [Slicehost](http://www.slicehost.com), and [Rackspace Cloud Servers](http://www.rackspacecloud.com/cloud_hosting_products/servers).",
"score": 3
}
]
|
What do you do with stuff like this? | How do you handle the inaccuracies of scripture and hold on to your faith? Please know that this is the furthest thing from trolling. It is things like this that have all but destroyed my faith.
>Starting in the 19th century, textual critics have commonly asserted that Mark 16:9–20, describing some disciples' encounters with the resurrected Jesus, was a later addition to the gospel. Mark 16:8 stops at the empty tomb without further explanation. The last twelve verses are missing from the oldest manuscripts of Mark's Gospel.[50] The style of these verses differs from the rest of Mark, suggesting they were a later addition. In a handful of manuscripts, a "short ending" is included after 16:8, but before the "long ending", and exists by itself in one of the earliest Old Latin codices, Codex Bobiensis. By the 5th century, at least four different endings have been attested. (See Mark 16 for a more comprehensive treatment of this topic.) Possibly, the Long Ending (16:9-20) started as a summary of evidence for Jesus' resurrection and the apostles' divine mission, based on other gospels.[51] It was likely composed early in the second century and incorporated into the gospel around the middle of the second century.[51] Mark might have originally ended abruptly at verse 8, the gospel might be unfinished, or the original ending might be lost. Irenaeus, c. 180, quoted from the long ending, specifically as part of Mark's gospel.[52] The 3rd-century theologian Origen of Alexandria quoted the resurrection stories in Matthew, Luke, and John but failed to quote anything after Mark 16:8, suggesting that his copy of Mark stopped there. Eusebius and Jerome both mention the majority of texts available to them omitted the longer ending.[53] Critics are divided over whether the original ending at 16:8 was intentional, whether it resulted from accidental loss, or even the author's death.[54] Those who believe that 16:8 was not the intended ending argue that it would be very unusual syntax for the text to end with the conjunction gar (γάρ), as does Mark 16:8, and that thematically it would be strange for a book of good news to end with a note of fear (ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ, "for they were afraid").[55] Some of those[who?] who believe that the 16:8 ending was intentional suggest a connection to the theme of the "Messianic Secret". This abrupt ending is also used to support the identification of this book as an example of closet drama, which characteristically ended without resolution and often with a tragic or shocking event that prevents closure.[56]
**EDIT:** Well this sucks. I'm honestly interested in an answer on this. Is this new information to people or do you guys think I'm just being offensive? Look at my other posts in Christianity if that is the case. | 5 | [
{
"body": "The whole book, including the entire long ending is \"The Gospel according to Mark.\" If Mark himself didn't write every line in it, that doesn't make that Gospel a less authentic expression of the community in which it was produced.\n\nFor what it's worth, the only reason we call it \"Mark\" is because Irenaeus says he wrote it. Unless we're willing to trust tradition, we shouldn't use the catholic titles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (Not being subject to the Protestant *Sola Scriptura* rule, neither the title nor the authorship of the long ending causes me any headaches :-)\n\nMark's was the first of the four canonical Gospels to be written. His agenda isn't so much to argue for Christ's divinity, humanity, or Messiahship; Mark is presenting Christ's life as a model for the Disciple of Christ, using the familiar trajectory of a prophet who comes divinely called, perseveres against rejection, and is divinely vindicated. So Mark begins with baptism, progresses through teaching to persecution and eventual death, and final resurrection. As you mention, in the short ending the resurrection is offstage - the empty tomb and the angel bear witness to it, but the actual experience of the resurrection remains tantalizingly offstage. Mark's concern isn't to teach complex dogma: He's telling his audience how to live the life of Christ - which will likely end for the disciple in persecution or martyrdom, with the resurrection a confident future hope.\n\nGiven that the resurrection was so foundational even in Paul's Epistles, written well before Mark's Gospel, I can totally see a pious scribe adding a note about well-known post-resurrection appearances of Christ and the great Commission. As with the doxology at the end of the Our Father, scribal notes tend to migrate into the text proper when everybody knows they really belong there anyway :-)",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Don't abandon your reason. Use your head and accept the truth no matter how difficult it is to swallow.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I believe the oldest manuscripts of Mark date from the 4th century, which omit these verses. However Irenaeus quotes from Mark 16:19 in the 2nd century in his work 'Against Heresies.' This would indicate these versus were in existence and were considered canonical (by some) at least as early as the 2nd century.\n\nThat said, even if it was a later addition, virtually all the information in Mark 16:9–20 is present in the other Gospels and Acts so I don't really see an issue with it.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I'm not entirely sure how to respond to this, it doesn't shake my faith. Point 54 you quoted is most relevant to me, knowing a smattering of Greek. It just does not make sense for a sentence to end with \"for\"/\"gar\"/\"γάρ\". \nNow, it is possible that the original text could end this way, but the conclusion to the story (the resurrection) has already happened, and the remaining verses are consistent with everything else written in the Gospels. \nIn sincerity, I would not base any major theological doctrine based solely on these verses alone, but I do not see such a contradiction to consider them in any way false.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Dear VicotoryGin, \n\nYour question made me think of a question I've had for awhile. Hopefully I can glom on to your post for a minute. It's an honest, curious question. Some will see this as a troll and given my disdain for religion I won't blame you. I know this is likely to get downvotes but I am hoping for a reply or two. You can yell if you want but if you answer the questions I guess that's OK. As a former Catholic who has read the bible, both KJV and NIV, the Book of Mormon, much of the Qur'an and other holy texts:\n\nDoes it seem odd that the alleged creator of the universe can't write its own biography? A thing so powerful it supposedly made matter and energy and imagined the universe into being. It can make stars and gravity and ants and aunts and it likes burnt goat and Jeptha's daughter dead?\n\nWhy all this parsing? If the damn thing is real this is not what I expect from a deity. This is shoddy work. Imagine what would really be in a book written by something so complex it transcends time.\n\nA god that makes stuff would not be jealous. It would just make more stuff. It would make an infinite amount of whatever it wanted. To think that god wants something, especially from us, (like a relationship or worship or blood or burnt ox flesh) is so ridiculous it's beyond dumb.\n\nIf god exists the bible is clearly not his book.\n\nJust one more question if I may. Does anyone here think the Mr. Deity sketches are funny? Do you think they're insulting? Do you think they're clever but wrong? Maybe you think they're just dumb? Again, I'm honestly curious. \n\nAll right if you made it this far I actually do have one more question while I'm here. Why doesn't the fact that there are other religions and other \"divinely inspired\" books keep you up at night? Aren't you just a little worried you might have picked wrong? Especially if you haven't read the other books? How could Muslims be so damn sure? Are they delusional? Maybe they're right. Maybe you're both wrong. Maybe the Shinto dudes are right. Maybe the Hindus have it nailed. Is it really one god, multiple names? Then why read the bible? Is it no gods? Then why read the bible? Is it possible to pick the \"correct\" religion out of the thousands of others? Then why hasn't anyone read the other books?\n\nVictoryGin I'm not tryin to mess up your post. Your question made me think of mine that's all. \n\n",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Reddit! I need your help! [PIC] | My good friend has misplaced his beloved [Star Trek jacket](http://i.imgur.com/jmVhG.png). Look at that picture. See that face? That is the face of pure unadulterated JOY all because he is supporting the fleet with his Star Trek The Tour jacket. Perfect for keeping him warm during those long cold nights in space.
Here's where you come in: his birthday is in a week and change and I want to replace this sadly misplaced and well-loved outerwear. Are the Redditors ready and willing to rise to the challenge of tracking one down for me? Denim and Leather Trekjackets have been located, but not this gorgeous piece of warmth and comfort. HELP ME REDDIT! A Trekkie's birthday wish hangs in the balance! | 6 | [
{
"body": "This may sound like a silly question... but couldn't you try and find out where he got the original one from? \n\n**Edit** I just noticed it was a \"Star Trek - The Tour\" jacket you were looking for. I just did a little bit of digging and apparently this was from 2008??? Well if thats the same one then the company that did it all was called SEE Touring and their Tel. is 323-957-4300. So maybe you could try ringing them up and asking if they have any leads?\n\n\n**Edit 2** Oh, it looks like it's a 5 year tour across America... so it's possibly still going (if the takings have been good). And that means theres a higher probability of them still selling those Jackets :)\n\nGood luck!",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Couldn't you just go to an Army/Navy store and get him a jacket then go on ebay and find the patch of the ship and sew the dopey thing on there?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "In case anyone else wants to try, I already tried this: \nhttp://www.tineye.com/search/b56eeb66c07304fd07a87a504dbb51758b96549e\n\nNo results from cropping out just the jacket and tossing it into TinEye. :C\n\nBest of luck finding it! Trekkies unite. You might also try in the star trek subreddit- maybe someone will recognize it there.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE think having the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl is a horrible idea? | I don't think the Pro Bowl will ever mean a damn thing. When it's held after the season is over, nobody really cares, but at least most of the Pro Bowlers are actually playing in the game. With a sport like football, and the high risk of injury, do you seriously think the two teams with a chance to win the Super Bowl will risk their best players being hurt in a meaningless ad revenue gimmick? | 18 | [
{
"body": "It will certainly be more watched than before but the NFL doesnt really work with an all-star type game. Unlike baseball, football is a much more team oriented sport, the D and O lines will always be bad in the pro-bowl, QBs and wide recievers are never on the same page. The game is too intricate to throw a bunch of really good players together and expect a good team.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "It makes absolutely no sense considering the billing is to \"see the NFL's greatest stars.\" In theory quite a few of them will be playing on either superbowl team. It's a ploy to get more people to watch. It will probably work to some degree.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
IAMA:JohnK Ren and Stimpy Creator | Hi Folks, I hope I am keeping up with you.
In the meantime, you can check out some stuff I am doing over here:
http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-you-came-here-from-reddit.html
Hey are any of you Tenacious D fans?
http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2009/03/coming-soon.html
Maybe you can find out when these toys are coming out.
http://www.strangeco.com/about_contact.php | 2,865 | [
{
"body": "We've met a few times over the years, and I don't expect you to remember me, but I just wanted to say thank you for Ren & Stimpy. I won't bore you with all the details, but it was *incredibly* important to me when I was 19 or 20, and played a very big part in my evolution as a comic performer and voice actor.\n\n",
"score": 619
},
{
"body": "Hey John.\n\nI gotta say, I've got [ultimate respect](http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/ao7bm/1998_ren_stimpy_creator_john_k_responds_to_a_14/c0ikuqf) for you for writing *that* letter, you made a 14 yr old fan extremely happy and probably ( if not obviously ) changed the course of his life... But I gotta ask, what out of the many letters you must have received made you reply in such an awesome way to this kid? \n",
"score": 257
},
{
"body": "Did you make the cartoon with children or adults in mind? \nAre there any other cartoons today, or ever, that you respect especially?",
"score": 153
},
{
"body": "Hey, I didn't know you also did [fuck her gently](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB1cObZUt00)! That video is brilliant!",
"score": 151
},
{
"body": "This is really cool. I used to love the show. Although I must admit I was scared of it sometimes when I was young.\n\nWhat are you doing now?",
"score": 126
},
{
"body": "I always wanted to ask: What inspired you to create [those extreme close up-grotesque frames](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrossUpCloseUp) that appeared most episodes of R&S?",
"score": 116
},
{
"body": "John - a good friend of mine and an awesome artist and animator recently had these [tattooed on her legs](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Sety_E7xveE/SsTLF94WXpI/AAAAAAAAAwU/fE1QnASX0hY/s1600-h/kebab.jpg)\n\nJust though you'd wanna see how nuts you sent her!",
"score": 115
},
{
"body": "I handed out Ren and Stimpy valentines in second grade before I had cable and could regularly watch your show, I did it to be \"cool\", and I'd like to let you know, it made me \"cool\" for a day.",
"score": 81
},
{
"body": "Hey John,\n\nGrowing up, my dad had a pretty bad temper and was generally negative. Two things that brought him sheer happiness and gave us a chance to spend a lot of time together were tom and jerry and ren and stimpy.\n\nso thanks for that.",
"score": 63
},
{
"body": "Reading that letter sent nostalgia into overdrive. Thank you for creating a show that allowed me to experience how cartoons were supposed to be. \r\n\r\nI often see my younger brother and sister (I am almost 16 years their senior) watching the cartoons of today and I feel bad for them. Cartoons (from what I can tell) are now about instilling social norms/cramming ideas into their young minds rather than escapism from reality that cartoons used to provide. Kids are being asked to grow up much too fast these days.\r\n\r\nOn to the questions:\r\n\r\n1. Do you have any \"original\" drawings of your characters that you might be willing to share with reddit? I'd love to see the phases Ren/Stimpy (or any other characters for that matter) went through before you were pleased with their appearance. Further - is any of your artwork for sale? My older brother (now 26) has been drawing for as long as he could hold a pencil and would be blown away if I were able to get something from one of his favorite cartoon artists as a kid.\r\n\r\n2. What is your opinion on the quality of cartoons today?\r\n\r\n3. If you had to choose a new cartoon as your favorite - what would it be? \r\n\r\n4. Do you agree with my observations on the current state of cartoons or do you think I'm over-analyzing?\r\n\r\nThanks in advance!\r\n\r\nEdit: formatting",
"score": 61
},
{
"body": "* When did you begin drawing? \n\n* When did you know you wanted to do it for a living? \n\n* How much have you made from all your works? \n\n* What was the biggest challenge you faced coming up in the industry?",
"score": 60
},
{
"body": "What is one of the most meaningful experiences that has resulted from your work?\n\nAlso, would you happen to know David Feiss, the creator of [Cow and Chicken](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cow_and_Chicken)? I can't help but see such an influence from your work in this cartoon.\n",
"score": 60
},
{
"body": "What gave you the idea for \"Ren's Brain\"? That was a dark and fantastic episode.\n\nI..I..just gotta know.",
"score": 51
},
{
"body": "I don't think I'll forget the lyrics to the Log song till the day I croak, and maybe not even then. You're a scholar and a poet, dammit.\n\nSo based on the material, I assume you've met some interesting fans over the years. Any worth mentioning? I had a friend in high school whose brother got a Powdered Toast Man tattoo, but I doubt that even scratches the surface. \n\nAlso, what do you think of Spongebob? How about Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job?\n\n",
"score": 48
},
{
"body": "Your post had been autobanned and I unbanned it. Could you please send me a private message to verify this post? I think people would be very very happy if I could give you a gold star to go with it.",
"score": 45
},
{
"body": "Better question: Since you did give us many great Sunday mornings, Saturday nights watching Ren & Stimpy... \n\n\nWhat do we have to do in order to get your show GEORGE LIQUOR SHOW on the air?\n*Who do we have to call & email?",
"score": 44
},
{
"body": "Could you just say \"Hey Michael!\" so that I can say the Ren and Stimpy Creator talked to my lowly self?\n\n i have no life",
"score": 43
},
{
"body": "Admins of reddit should ban every person that downvoted this thread. There is no way that 179 real people pushed the little down arrow, obvious fucking bots.\n\nEdit: 231. Even those that aren't bots should be released for an obvious breach of reddiquette.\n\nNo sir, I don't like it.",
"score": 42
},
{
"body": "Can you please find a way to make money creating animations that are sold directly on the Internet? \n\nI'm sick to death of reading the epitaphs of our generation's works of art that died because they were beaten down by network suits, censors, and advertisers. Can we just pay you a buck a month each, and you make us something we can download via bittorrent? We need to kill this monster with a monopoly on broadcasting that is strangling the life everything creative and honest because it doesn't sell enough pills and soap. Can you get that started?",
"score": 40
},
{
"body": "Hey John,\n\nWho is your least favorite character to draw on Ren & Stimpy? Conceptually?\n\nAlso just wanted to thank you for portraying the pope's nose firmly between Powdered Toast Man's Buttocks and making it epic by employing the great Frank Zappa for the voice. \"Both of them?\"",
"score": 40
},
{
"body": "So John, I always got the idea that Ren and Stimpy were homosexual partners; am I way off base here?",
"score": 39
},
{
"body": "Our country reeks of trees \r\nOur Yaks are really large \r\nAnd they smell like rotting beef carcasses... \r\n\r\nThanks from Canada, eh?",
"score": 37
},
{
"body": "My mom didn't let me watch that show... but I did anyways. i don't think it rotted my brain that much.",
"score": 33
},
{
"body": "Loved the show as a kid, and this is my question:\n\nHow often did you have to deal with censorship? The FCC can be a real bitch and I am just curious how many ideas you had to scrap because they would be deemed to inappropriate for TV?",
"score": 30
},
{
"body": "So those new Ren and Stimpy cartoons on Spike I am assuming you had nothing to do with them. But what the hell was up with that episode where they sex each other up ??",
"score": 26
},
{
"body": "Hey John, I am a massive fan of your work - I love the fact that you at least have a go at kicking against the big factory animation mentality and proved that you can turn out a modern cartoon that is drawn well and is expressive. \n\nCan you share your take on modern cartoons like The Simpsons and The Family Guy? Do you think it would be possible for these cartoons to be drawn well? Does it make you sad that the artistic element seems to have been forgotten? Do you think these cartoons could be a whole lot more funny (or at least more interesting) if they were handled by studios who actually cared about anything other than dialogue?",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "First, \"Hermit Ren\" and \"Stimpy's fan club\" were the best and Ren and Stimpy was nearly the only cartoon I watched as a kid. It destroyed my small fragile innocent mind.\n\nHow did you manage to get all the death ,insanity and commy bastard jokes passed Nickelodeon? Fuck, Stimpy takes a shit on Ren's face in the cosmonaut episode! What the hell man!?\n\nALERTSKYYYYY!!!!",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "I remember the crushing disappointment when I, as a young boy, saw the first Ren and Stimpy episode you weren't involved in. Do you feel like you have more creative freedom these days, or do you still struggle with the corporate overlords?",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "Hi Mr. K,\nWhen I was about 10, I wrote to you to express my outrage that ren and stimpy was going to be taken off nickelodeon. Not only did you take the time to respond, but you sent me a few hand drawn originals. I just wanted to say thank you, and thanks for creating work which is truly imaginative.",
"score": 22
},
{
"body": "I have applied the flying butt pliers several times, to prodigious effect. Thank you. Thank you sir.",
"score": 21
},
{
"body": "What did you think about the parody of Ren and Stimpy on the Simpsons, in the 4th season episode \"Brother From The Same Planet\". What about Dan Castenella's voice work on the voices of Ren and Stimpy? \n\nDid they ask you in advance? Did you draw the artwork for that fifteen second clip?",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "What was the production of Ren & Stimpy like? How much were you censored? Are there lines you wish you could have crossed? How awesome/not awesome is Billy West?\n\nSeriously though, you are fantastic. Ren & Stimpy shaped my tender young mind in wonderful ways. Thank you!",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "Anything else you can tell us about the *John K. Presents* possibility happening with Adult Swim? \nI always (I'm sure I'm not the only one) thought that Adult Swim would some day ask you to bring something new to their line-up.\n\nThank you for being awesome!",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "- What are your inspirations or influences for your crude sense of humour? \n\n- How did people react to your humour or did you keep the dark stuff to yourself?\n\nI'm a fan of dark comedy and I honestly believed it stemmed from liking Ren and Stimpy as a kid. People who really appreciate the show are usually the kind of people I like to be friends with. I remember me and this other kid thought it was great while everyone else said it was creepy and weird.",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "Wow John, Ren & Stimpy was **the greatest** cartoon of my childhood. I used to quote everything from \"Powwwwwdered. Toast. MAAAAN\" to \"Don't whiz on the electric fence\" to \"No sir, I don't like it.\" Enough praise, onto my questions:\n\n* I don't know how showbiz works but I assume you have to clear certain things by producers or whoever the hell gives a show/episode the green light. But, on Nickelodeon especially, how did you manage to let them put things in your episodes like the drug induced sounds and background warping or the \"zooming in\" moments?\n\n* Who wrote the theme song? It is most awesome.\n\n* If I was a wealthy billionaire playboy and gave you millions of dollars to create a live-action Powdered Toast Man movie, what actor would you hire as the title character?",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "I spent the last 3 hours(since I saw that reddit link) reading your blog! I am an absolutely feeble artist by any measure, but your basic attitude and principles demonstrate that kind of wisdom that really extends into any artistic or creative field(music is my game). I absolutely love the back-to-basics, hardline approach you take on things like 'talent' and 'natural born skills'. \n\nOne thing that interests me though is the relationships between you and other cartoonists, and between the old-school guys(if you have met any of them). In particular, how they all seemed to be so serious about their craft and their art, yet the end result was... cartoons. Can you describe at all about the relationship between the pure joy of creating vs. the (sometimes) scary and intense world of 'producing'? Specifically how you observed between you and your contemporaries?\n\n",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "* Can you discuss what challenges, if any, you had day-to-day with the network and/or censors when doing Ren and Stimpy? Was it a constant battle, or were the expectations clear and you created content to fit within those boundaries?\n\n* Anything you really wish you could have done but couldn't get on the air?\n\n* What cartoons would my 6 year old enjoy that we may not already know about?\n\n\n**Thanks for doing this AMA.** ",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "Awesome. Friday night's Snick was a large part of my childhood. First Ren and Stimpy and then Are You Afraid of the Dark.\n\nI have seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and now my three year old watches and loves the show. \n\nNow some questions :\n\nI remember from the DVDs some interviews or commentary you gave. You mentioned being extremely tedious with the staff drawing Ren and Stimpy about their facial expressions charging constantly, never reusing the same expression. Are you still as tedious about this or was it just for this show?\n\nWhat are your thoughts about modern cartoons and animation? Any shows in particular your really enjoy and any that you just can't stand?",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "I just wanted to say thank you for your work. Ren and Stimpy will forever be one of my favorite pieces of art. I think that cartoon is clearly one of the pieces of culture that define my generation.\n\nThank you.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "So obviously besides reddit, are there any other internet sites you (semi)frequent? Also any interest in doing a full fledged reddit interview ala like Adam Savage did? ",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "Hey Girls.\n\nI've been developing a show for you that isn't pink and purple and doesn't talk down to you.\n\nHere's a sneak peek:\n\nhttp://jkcartoonstories.blogspot.com/2009/12/heartaches-pilot.html\n\nand if you like kitty stories: \nhttp://jkcartoonstories.blogspot.com/2010/01/maynard-manager.html\n\nTell me what you think...",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "My question is what do you think made you give that kid all those preston blair books and advice? Was it because he reminded you of yourself when you were younger? Or did you just feel very giving that day.",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "John! OH THANK GOD. I know this is a late comment, but this is something that has been bugging me my entire life. What do you call those enormous 3-eyed brain-aliens from the end of Marooned? I just hope there is an answer.",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "You sir, are fantastic. I can't tell you how many episodes I literally laughed my ass off while in college. Drunk off my ass, I'd break off from the party and turn on the tv and watch. Good times. Two of our fraternity brothers are nicknamed Ren & Stimpy. That, and we share names, I often sign things \"John K.\" Thanks for all the great episodes, my fav has to be the classic Space Madness. Since this is an AMA, the question I have for you is: What do you think about all your animation posted all over the web? Good for your business? Bad? I guess I'm of the philosophy that you create the type of entertainment that I don't mind paying for and I hope you are properly compensated. Keep on doing what you do, it rocks.\n\nOh yeah: \"Powdered Toast Maaaaaaaaan!\" OMG and the horse \"No sir, I didn't like it\", the Walrus \"Call the Poliiiiice!\" Happy happy, Joy joy! was my first wav I created for the startup of Windows. Wow, great times.\n\nEdit: Do you have cels that are available for purchase, me wants!\n\nEdit2 (last one, I promise): Mad props to you with writing as you did to Amir, I mean seriously, this is the kind of good natured tutoring and inspiration people need. Acts of kindness like this is what gives me faith in most of humanity. I think it is outstanding that you take the time for others, for that alone you get the Nobel Prize for Kick Ass Cartoonage.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "How did it make you feel when parents made boycotts against Ren and Stimpy, as well as any other of your cartoons? I believe I was 6 when I first saw your show, and I was absolutely in love. My parents, however, felt it was highly inappropriate. That didn't stop me from watching it, though.... :D",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "What are your thoughts on Flash and vector cartoons in general? You seem to be a big advocate of traditional, old-fashioned animation, and I do believe that vectors and Flash have significantly lowered the quality of Saturday morning cartoons. However, I think they've also made it more accessible and increased the volume of new work by enormous amounts. Do you think this is a phase or will vectors/Flash, along with Disney's near-total abandonment of 2D animation, push out hand-drawn cartoons as a form of widely-distributed entertainment?",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Hey John,\n\nI'm Brenton. I'm the USC student who spoke with you a bit on the phone a couple years back about Story Stash, the online storyboarding tool I was working on.\n\nSince we last connected, I've graduated from school and taken a bit of time to figure life out, travel, etc.. Story Stash is still something I'm very excited about doing. I'm tying up some loose ends in my work life right now, so I can get back to doing it fulltime.\n\nTo jog your memory:\n[Story Stash demo](http://storystash.com/heroes/storystash.swf)\n\nI just wanted you to know I really appreciated your input the last time we spoke. The contact info I had for you isn't current, but I'd be happy to garner more feedback and keep you in-the-loop.\n\nWelcome to Reddit!",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Hey, if anyone is interested, there are plenty of behind the scenes article about Ren and Stimpy and who did what, here:\n\nhttp://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Ren%20and%20Stimpy",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Holy crap. Can I just not ask anything and comment? My parents wouldn't allow me to watch your show...but my brother and I secretly did anyway :D \n\nThank you!",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Oh wow, I gotta say, you defined a good portion of my childhood. Are you working on another other projects that don't involve animation?",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "What did you think of the CRTC decision to force MuchMusic in Canada to stop airing Ren & Stimpy?\n\nhttp://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1994/DB94-439.HTM",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Thank you for making my childhood so deliciously fucked up and interesting. I am 21 years old now. I was raised by a single mother who worked all the time, hence early 90's Nickelodeon served a very large role in my upbringing. Thank you for working the ills of capitalism into my subconcious by having Stimpy horf up hairballs until his gland gave out while Ren made bank. Thank you for making sure I understood that Canada was a joke. I am not homophobic, and maybe that has to do with accepting the idea of a male dog and a male cat playing the roles of husband and wife, respectively. Somehow Jerry Falwell missed that one, but couldn't accept a purple baby-thing with an upside-down triangle and a purse. Between you and Rocko's Modern Life I completely understand why I have such a twisted sense of humor. Thank you.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Hi John K,\n\n I just wanted to ask in the R&S cartoons there was a lot of extremely graphic depictions of teeth (teeth rotting, teeth falling out etc.) Is there some story behind this? I was always curious.\n\nThanks so much for answering questions",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Thanks for making my childhood slightly less boring. I still watch the DVDs to this day.\n\nWhat was the most disgusting thing you wanted to do in a Ren and Stimpy cartoon where Nickelodeon flat out denied you?",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "John, it's awesome that you posted here on reddit. I'd just like to know if were a reddit reader before this post?\n\nIf so, what got you started?\n\nCheers!",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Thanks for doing this John! \n\nIs there some kind of backstory regarding the \"nose goblins\" ? Or for that matter, were some of the really weird things on r&s inspired by real life incidents?",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I know you guys were close for a short period of time, so can you please tell us your favorite story about knowing and working with the legendary BOB CLAMPETT? ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I used to watch Ren and Stimpy as a kid on YTV. Channel 14. I would have to do my homework first, allowed to go outside, eat and then watch tv until bed. My cartoons would include Reboot, Rocko's Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, Mighty Max, Super Human Samurai Cyber Squad, Mummies Alive, Street Sharks, Biker Mice from Mars, Cow-Boys of Moo-Mesa, Creepy Crawlers, Doug, Samurai Pizza Cats, Tales from the Crypt Keeper, and so much more!!! \n\nI just wanted to throw a high five at ya and say great job. No questions for ya. I figure you get enough of those. Hope all is well and best of luck in the New Year. Thanks for everything.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I recall a few years ago Ren & Stimpy came out with some new episodes.. I was wondering if there where any more in the works? \n\n\nEdit: At least a show made for adults that watched Ren & Stimpy as kids? With your humor & music matching (brilliant in the Ren & Stimpy)",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "First off, I really enjoyed growing up with your work. It is a rare opportunity to have the chance to say thank you for all of your time and effort with creating these works and sharing them with the world. So, Thank you!\n\nQuestion: I heard a rumor a long ways back. Dispel it for me. I heard Ren & Stimpy was taken off Nickelodeon back in the day because you were found to be clinically insane. Confirm/deny?",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Sir I believe your show is the only show I have seen every episode of fully and attentively.\n\nMy friend has a band who covers the Powdered Toastman Song, would you be interested in listening to it?",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "So what's the status of the George Liquor show? Have you shopped it around? How has it been received? Personally, I laughed my ass off at the comic con pitch.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "John, thank you for Ren and Stimpy. I grew up on those toons. My favorites are Space Madness and Mad Dog Höek. I still recite lines from these episodes! ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Is Adult Swim still a possibility for new cartoons? You mention it in your George Liquor **AMERICAN** pitch. I loved the Yogi Bear short from years ago, but we need **REAL AMERICANS** instead of just talking food and recycled Hanna-Barbara cartoon cells. I can't think of a better demographic that would appreciate the daily conundrum of having to eat a face from a can. You're a cultural treasure.\n\nAlso, Mr. Horse and Cigarettes the Cat are my favorite.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "My English might be much poorer had it not been for Ren and Stimpy. thank you Mr. Kricfalusi for creating characters that can speak proper English. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "JohnK, if you're still around, I just want to comment on the overall tone of this thread, and ask the question that arises for me out of reading this thing top to bottom.\n\nI find it amazing to watch SO many people (including myself) in total fanboy (and -girl) adulation, and one humble, wise, hardworking, NORMAL dude responding like it's no biggie. \n\nDo you think of Ren and Stimpy as the iconic, sort of cultural-atom-bomb-ish thing that the rest of us do? What's it like to have created something that is so beloved? That influenced so much that followed it? \n\nIs it weird? I'd think it'd be a little weird.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I used to get in-trouble for drawing Powdered Toast Man in 2nd grade, because he wasn't too clean looking. I always made sure to draw detailed imperfections on all of my cartoon's faces (boils, warts w/ hairs, red veiny eyes, etc..). Thanks for that!\n\nPS: Did you have a hand at The Ren & Stimpy Video Game for Sega Genisis? If so, my favorite level was The Zoo!",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Hi: You're awesome. How did you keep yourself going through the grueling, repetitive parts of learning to draw?",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I just want to say thanks for assisting in my childhood growth. I am considered funny, and artistic. Ren and Stimpy were huge influences in my life. I had a Stimpy doll when I was younger, and forced my parents buy anything R&S when I went to Orlando,Florida.\n\nThanks again :)\n-actually heres quick and easy question:\nWhats your favorite R&S episode?",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I used to watch Ren and Stimpy on Muchmusic (Canada). I taped all the episodes of the first two seasons, and the only reason I still have a VCR is so that my nine-year-old daughter can watch those tapes. She does a much better Ren than I do. It's definitely the Kricfalusi Ren, not the Billy West Ren.\n\nTwo questions. (1) If we buy a DVD, do you get a cut? (2) If you could do it all over again, would you do anything different?",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Sir, I don't have a question. I just want to say I grew up watching Ren and Stimpy. And I think the strange and unique individual I am today is partly because of your excellent cartoon. The artistic work was truly amazing too - I think my father (a painter) recognized that and that's why he kept buying me the VHS tapes. That's all, and thanks! ",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I just wanted to say thanks for coming and talking to us here. Most of us were kids in the target audience while ren and stimpy was on the air, we really appreciate it. Marc Summers (the guy who hosted double dare, a different show on nick) called our website \"some bullshit website with like 6 people on it\"\n\nYou're infinitely better than him as both a provider of entertainment and as a decent human being.\n\n*hugs*",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "If anything...the FFFFUUUU comics are perhaps the biggest meme on the internet that gets inspired by your work...I would love to see you put your spin on one of these if it wouldn't be too much to ask!\n\nAlso, big fan...lord knows how many hours I've had Happy Happy Joy Joy on loop playing on my PC...",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Hi John! Long-time fan, here. Have you seen this latest image of Mars? Doesn't it look suspiciously like Ren's unshaven face?! ;) http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_007962_2635",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "This isn't a question, but just wanted to tell you John that although I watched Ren & Stimpy as a kid, I feel I rediscovered it (thank you youtube) just a few months ago. I bought the DVD set and my friends and I have been thoroughly enjoying it. In a way I feel like I have only just started watching the show, because it is a completely different experience as an adult.\n\nMy favorite scenes have to be the History Eraser Button and when Ren and Stimpy try to sell rubber nipples to Mr. Horse. GENIUS.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "John - I first saw Ren & Stimpy while stationed in Germany in the military in 1992. My sister sent me a videotape of R & S episodes as well as Beavis and Butthead that aired on MTV. Up until that point, I had been trying to stay entertained strictly on the military channel or german television. Those episodes kept me sane through my entire tour. \n\nI can still recite Space Madness word for word, oh my beloved ice cream bar .... In my opinion, they were so relatable because you took the classics - Looney Tunes, Mighty Mouse etc. and gave them an edge that still has yet to be topped to this day. Also thank you for putting yourself into these stories ... it's so obvious that these are personal references.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Not a question, but I thought you would want to know that the doobie brothers are big fans. Years ago, I was in the childrens hospital. The Doobie Bros did a concert, but I was contagious and could not attend. They came to my hospital room ( and those of other kids I am sure) and gave me a ren doll. I still have it. The DBs only had good things to say about the show. ",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Hey John, first up you rock. Not a declaration I make lightly, because I was young and ignorant of most things when I was first introduced to your work, but have since come to respect you on a higher level after much of your commentary in the illustration & animation blog sphere, (particularly over at ASIFA). I mean I cannot even express how much I value the insight and understanding you've dished out over the years. You fucking rock.\n\nOne thing I'll take the opportunity to ask, related to rage. No particular reason, other than I'm feeling ragey tonight...\n\nHow can I suppress the homicidal rage that I feel when coming across modified, sanitized classic animation? The redubs of racial stereotypes; any and nearly every stick of TNT in almost every studio's catalog; I see these things an it makes me angry-- because they're abolishing the context, trying to whitewash history and preserve delicate sensibilities. It's so destructive! \n\nFor me the art form of animation, like for instance film noir, is all about context. So much of the value comes from understanding the context. When I was a kid I didn't get these jokes, why the fuck is Daffy Duck always asking people if they want to play Tennis?! What exactly am I missing? Like nothing else animation spurred me to make the effort to investigate these things and created this thirst to inform myself. So later reading Twain, Shakespeare, watching films I'd hit a gap and then go inform myself-- before the googles even-- and walk away with a better picture of history, of audiences, of culture. So these edits man, too erase that, my god, it just makes me want to stab the whole planet, because that's what we'll be 50 years from now when people look back-- no better than revisionist book-burning Nazis. Which is a trend I see in film just as much with remakes and prequels and special editions, but it's really the animation that I see or an obvious dub that immediately puts me into the dark place.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Is the scene in Ren's closet meant to be homosexual? With the song \"Don't pee on the electric fence?\"\n\nThat was a great show man. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I was in France last year and saw a cartoon being aired on TV that had a character that looked EXAAAACTLY like Ren. The whole rest of the show sort of looked like your style, too. I've tried to look around for it on the web, but can't find anything. It's so obviously either you or a ripoff, I'm doing google searches for \"ren stimpy ripoff france\" and \"france spumco\" and stuff to try to track it down. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?\n\nEDIT: Ok, I'm not crazy. The cartoon is called \"[les zinzins de l'espace](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Goofs)\" (the goofs in space). Check out these YouTube clips and tell me this isn't a blatant Ren & Stimpy ripoff: [clip one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA9RfnJWm7E), [clip two](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMFstYJtOoI).",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Why have I never seen you and Powdered Toast Man in the same room? Or, for that matter, I've never seen you with Mr Horse...!",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I think its amazing that you are doing this. I just wanted to say I am a huge fan. My question to you is: How do you feel about today's modern 3D animation like what Pixar and many other companies are doing instead of the classic 2D style animation?",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "What is your fondest memory at Brookfield High School? I'm asking that because being an 11th grader currently attending there, I find it pretty boring.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "You sir, have mastered the art of what I like to call \"gross illustration\". The way that you zoom into things and draw them in disgusting detail from time to time is pure, unfathomable, raw genius. \n \nNo question. That is all.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "WTF happened to Ren and Stimpy? One day it was the most awesome cartoon ever created, it took the best from the past and showed us a bright, disgusting future(the close-up stills were truly high art) and then it just went plop. I've read a little this and that about it but I want to know how it happened? What did you learn that you can share with upcoming artists about creative control?",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "While watching the recent Monty Python documentaries, one of them commented that Terry Gilliam was only really happy when he had an adversary to fight against. Do you think you are the same way? I ask because a lot of people feel the early Ren and Stimpy's where you had to fight Nickelodeon were some of your best work.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "What modern cartoons do you think are any good? Movies and/or TV shows. I imagine you'd probably like *Triplets of Belleville* but I'm not sure what tv shows you might like. Do you like any anime, recent or old?\n\nWhat is your opinion of Pixar?",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I told a friend of mine about this (not a redditor) and he has a few questions if you get a minute.\n\n* Why is Mr. Horse in so many episodes, what does he symbolize? Why does he say 'No sir, I don't like it'?\n\n* Did Stimpy ever press the jolly, candy-like button?\n\nHe also wanted to thank you for the best cartoon in history. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "It's strange how the Ren and Stimpy is FAR more amusing to my little cousins more than any other show. I have some episodes on my computer but even after all theses years and special effects my cousins beg to watch an episode on my tiny laptop rather than play with much more expensive tv's and media players that i own. \n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I have no question. I just want you to know what I had to endure because of Ren and Stimpy and it's marketing. Long ago my father got together 2 UPC codes and 6.95. He took this and sent away for your Ren and Stimpy boxer shorts from Corn Pops cereal. He wore these until last year almost every single night. It's one of those images that I can't unsee and I had to see it almost every night as a young child. Please don't ever do that again.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "This may be a dumb question, but how did you learn to exaggerate facial expressions and emotions to such a superb degree? I'm talking about the times when Stimpy would pull a face that so completely communicated his feelings of sheer stupid joy, yet the image would have distorted all of his bodily proportions. I draw alot myself but it has always been so difficult to learn how to really nail down facial expressions, even in a non-exaggerated way. How, or from what inspiration, were you and the cartoonists you worked with able to learn how to master facial expressions so well?\n\nI am a huge fan of your work, Ren and Stimpy is one of the greatest creations of humor and silliness in the history of the human race.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "John,\n\nI'm not really sure what to say - you're single handedly responsible for making my childhood (and most of University) bearable. I've watched more Ren & Stimpy than I can remember and it's a work of pure genius. I don't really have a question, I just wanted to say thanks.\n\nAlso, now reading your blog :)\n\nEdit: What a lovely bloke!",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "You made the cartoon that took a lot of the misery out of a horrible upbringing. I can't thank you deeply enough for your creativity and your enthusiasm...\n\nI don't have a question, I just wanted to thank you sincerely... I've always been a fan, just never really thought to let you know about it until your show was off the air.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "John, I know this won't fly high on the thread, but I had to tell you that me and my brother still talk about Ren & Stimpy, and how much we miss the cartoons. Our favorite is still the episode where Ren gets Space Madness.\n\nIn a large way, you secured my profession in graphic design, and I only hope to be able to one day approach the level of creativity you showed me that was possible. That's all I wanted to say. Best to you and yours.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Hey John. I am a fan of your incredible, incredible work\n\nIt's probably too late and you're long gone. But if you, sir, would pick out your favorite Ren and Stimpy related drawing, I will promise to have it be my first tattoo by the end of this month.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "What is your favorite nasty thing your characters did?\n\nMine is where they bite the puss filled pimple on that wrestler's toe. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "If you have time, do you think you can do a [Fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu](http://www.reddit.com/r/fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu/) comic in your own style? I'm sure after reading a few you'd pick up quickly what it's about.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "don't pee on the electric fence!\n\nthe ending credit music always scared me, b/c when i would watch snick on saturday nights, \"ren and stimpy\" always came on right before \"are you afraid of the dark\". and that show always scared the crap out of me. \n\ni guess i should ask a question. how did the concept of \"ren and stimpy\" go from your brain to being a show. did you have a deal before hand? did you have to pitch the idea to someone?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "* What kind of things did you draw inspiration from while creating Ren and Stimpy? Besides beer of course. \n* When did you first come up with those characters. \n* Were they much different in their early iterations? \n\nThat cartoon has been my favorite childhood cartoon till this day. My father and I use to watch it together when I was a kid while my mom gave him dirty looks and told us we shouldn't be watching \"that filth.\" Good job :) Thanks for doing this",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I was wondering what you thought of the reaction to the Adult Party Cartoon version of Ren and Stimpy? What problems, or difficulties, would you say, brought that cartoon to an early close?\n\n(Also, I just wanted to thank you for being one of the biggest influences on my humor. Truly, thank you so much.)\n\nAlso, also, did you guys *really* animate Mighty Mouse to snort that cocaine?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Ren and Stimpy remains one of my nostalgic treasures. I love it today as much(if not more) than when I was little. Did you have the idea of its more mature humor while creating the series or did it just kind of come about of its own accord? Were you trying to push the limits of what you could do in a cartoon at the time? I hope you had fun with it. It was about the only show that I would start watching and have my parents gather around to catch episodes of as well. Thanks for making such a great cartoon! ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": " Oh god, I consider you the father of somewhat disturbing cartoons that are incredibly enjoying and hilarious to watch. What do you think about today's cartoons and the lack of new ones on the mainstream channels?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Been a fan since Mighty Mouse, John, and it's awesome to see you here.\n\nWill you be doing any more stuff with the classic H-B characters? Your Jetsons and Yogi Bear cartoons showed a real affection for the classic characters and were hilarious. And did you have a hand in The Flintstones: On The Rocks?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": " What cartoons of the past were your biggest influence? How were you exposed to them (sat mornings, theaters, etc.)?\n Thanks for all the great work & thank you very much for doing this iama!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I just wanted to thank you for providing so much entertainment, joy, and laughter, throughout my childhood and even still today. Hell, even my computers are named after characters of yours.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I grew up on Ren and Stimpy. It had a huge influence on my career in media. I'm in video production, and I can say my sense of humor was definitely impacted by regular Ren and Stimpy viewings. Also, I randomly get the Log song stuck in my head.\n\nMy favorite episode was the one where Ren and Stimpy get sucked into the black hole. It creeped me the fuck out though. Any insight on the creation of this episode? What influenced it? \n\nThanks for everything :)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Wow, just came here to say thank you for your great work. Ren and Stimpy was an amazing cartoon, my brothers and I watched it growing up and we still talk about our favorite episodes and characters. I think it paved the way for most of the cartoons we see today. Definitely an innovate cartoon and well ahead of its time. Cheers.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I am starstruck. No questions here, but thank you for creating one of my favorite shows of all time, on Nickelodeon as a child, and on dvd as an adult. \n\nThank you, thank you, thank you! ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Wow, This is serious? Thanks for completely warping me and many other kids minds and sense of humor. For real, going back and watching some episodes just make me think \"wow they showed this to kids?\" I loved it all. My question is, which character or scenes did the network not let you air but you particularly insisted on?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Thank you for making such a wonderful show. I think I speak for all of reddit in saying this. Your show added so much to so many of our childhoods and have shaped our view of reality, maybe that's why we are here on reddit. Thank you. \nAlso, were you behind the Ren and Stimpy show on Spike TV? Because the animation looked the same, but the plot was decidedly different.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "You are truly awesome - I saw the post about the letter you sent to the 14 year old earlier today, which I thought was really damn cool by the way, and I saw that in that a redditor asked you to sign up an do an IAMA, now here you are.\n\nSo here's my question: Is there any reason you are far more generous with your time and interact more with your fans than people in comparable positions/situations?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Love to hear your side of the story with Nickelodeon in 1992, John. What led up to the split? New constraints? Execs poking into the creative side of the business? I was really upset when Nickelodeon dropped you from Ren & Stimpy production back then...the quality of the series really dropped off. \r\n\r\n\r\nFYI: I have \"Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy\" on my kid's bathtime playlist. ;)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "How much input did you have on the composition and writing of the songs in the show? The animation and score went together perfectly, and all of your musical scenes were priceless. Did you write some lyrics and have it evolve from there? \n\nI ask because when I was a wee lad, I had the soundtrack to the show on cassette tape, and I swear I listened to that thing day in and day out for months. If the Kilted Yaksmen's anthem were to come on right now, I guarantee I could sing every word without missing a note (as long as no one minds monotone renditions of cartoon songs, that is). Thanks for Ren and Stimpy, you warped my childhood in an awesome way.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Not a question, but I would just like to say that I have grown up completely disenchanted with children's entertainment. Even though Ren and Stimpy was a bit before my time (I was two when they stopped airing episodes. You do the math) I can honestly say that it is one of the few shows aimed towards children that I could classify as \"quality entertainment\". I still find myself returning to the violent slapstick and sly pop culture references. Not to mention the fantastic array of guest voice actors (Phil Hartman and Frank Zappa stand out). I just wanted to say good work. \n\nAlright, maybe I do have a question: would you consider MAD magazine an influence? Just out of curiosity. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Inspired by the doctor who drawing:\n\nWhat character (real life or fictional) would you like to draw, but cannot bring yourself to (if any)? \n\nIf no character is out of your god like animated grasp \n\nWhat characters are you most excited about working on now?\n\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Is [Smart Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiBUPfarvC0) a rip off of [Powdered Toast Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLNlhZJJU-E)?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I work for a guy who was a producer/production head at Nickelodeon while there and he has nothing but great things to say about you.\n\nI also think you are the bee's knees too. \n\nAnyhow I can't wait to see new things from yah.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I would have loved to see you pitch Ren and Stimpy. Do you find yourself doing the voices for your characters as you invent them?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Hey John, I just want to say how much I loved Ren and Stimpy growing up. Some of the episodes that stuck in my mind were the ones where Ren got pec implants made from Stimpy's ass, as well as the episode where they get snowed in a log cabin. For those moments and many, many more...I thank you. It made my childhood interesting.\n\nAre there any contemporary cartoonists that you express a certain admiration for, whether it be for their artistry or their ideas? \n\nAlso, do you ever watch a cartoon from this era and say to yourself \"I wish I had come up with that idea\"? \n\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Thank you very much for the fantastic cartoon, it definitely played a part in shaping my childhood. You were and still are one of my main inspirations for getting into animation. It took me a while to get over being too star-struck to think of a question, but I finally got one:\n\nDo you ever get annoyed with people pretty much constantly throwing Ren & Stimpy quotes at you, or do you still enjoy it enough yourself that you basically laugh along with them?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Have you ever thought about (or already created) a comic and/or webcomic? I'd love to see your artistic style in a regular webcomic. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I see Spumco did artwork and character designs for Yoake no Mariko and Go! Go! Hypergrind, two japanese video games. How did that come about? Were you personally involved with that? Is it something you would do again?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "So, has anyone asked what you think of Amir's work?\n\nhttp://animation.sheridanc.on.ca/portfolio/2010/avni/\n\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I will say upfront that as a \"mature\" adult, I thoroughly enjoy Ren & Stimpy. I do vividly recall being horribly disturbed by it as a child when it was on the air, though. I can't imagine I was the only one.\n\nHow did Ren & Stimpy end up on Nickelodeon? There must have been people who felt it wasn't appropriate for children at the time. How did those discussions go? Was there tension between you and the network censors? Why was Ren & Stimpy taken off the air? Was Ren & Stimpy your first stab at children's programming? \n\nI'm just interested in the history/behind the scenes politicking!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I am a huge fan of your work. I know most of us posting here are also huge fans, but I was wondering how your friends and family first reacted to your cartoons (particularly the creepier episodes of Ren and Stimpy). ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "COULD YOU DO ONE FFFUUUU COMIC FOR US? PLEASE ??\n\nSorry for the Caps, I just want this to be noticed.\n\nTHANK YOU!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Hi John,\n\nWhy did you and your studio leave Ottawa, Canada a few years ago? \n\nI have always loved your work!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Without a doubt, my favorite cartoon growing up. I watched it on Snick with my brother and my father and we thought the humor and art style was genius...love the 50s sorta feel to it. Just wanted to say thank you.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "As a product of 90's television, I just want to thank you for the bellybutton episode of Ren and Stimpy. As a child I laughed at that episode but it wasn't until I grew up that I really understood just how risky that joke and laughed for a good 15 minutes.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "The first time I thought Adobe Flash/Shockwave wasn't a complete abomination was in a game you had some hand in where you had to -- if memory serves -- lubricate a duck and insert it into Jimmy's anus. Is that available anywhere? Thanks!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm sorry to say that I didn't catch much Ren & Stimpy, no cable as a kid. But what I remember was brilliantly insane. Ever catch Superjail on Adult Swim? It has the same flavor of off-the-wall insanity, but maybe not as lighthearted as R&S.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "AHHHH OMG!!!!!! You're John Kricfalusi!!! I have no questions, I just really want to say thanks for all the great memories, man. Ren and Stimpy was amazing. Ripping Friends was my favourite show for a long, long time. Crag, Chunk, Rip and Slab. My heroes. Oh yeah, and Citrocet, too! \r\n\r\nP.S. I just did a little searching on Ripping Friends and I just learned you got Mike McDonald to voice Rip. That is absolutely amazing. I love Mike McDonald. He's hilarious. One of my favourite comedians. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Do you draw on paper and animation table and scan in for cleanup and inking or have you moved to tablet or cintiq yet? Explain why in either case.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Hi John, when Ren & Stimpy first launched on Nickelodeon, they ran a commercial. In that commercial, it joked \"You are invited\"... \r\n\"so put on your best clothes\"...\"and be on your best behavior\" and involved the picture of a child with a halo being put over his head and a cartoonish tuxedo being put over him. \r\n\r\nI was that kid. Is there any way or anyone I could get in touch with to get a copy of that commercial, if it still exists?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Hey there John, just want to say I loved to rip along with the Ripping Friends. At 14 I may have been a little out of the saturday morning cartoon demographic but when that first episode came on and the TV told me to go get paper and rip it up, by golly I did it, and I loved it.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "John, I met you almost a year ago at the 4'n'20 pie shop on Van Nuys. It was such a pleasure to meet the creator of my favorite childhood cartoon.\nI really appreciated you taking the time to chat and draw me a picture. Too bad I didn't work there long. :( (BTW I still love Ren & Stimpy to pieces!)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "What did you think about [this](http://www.hulu.com/watch/18714/the-simpsons-itchy-and-scratchy-and-ren-and-stimpy)?\n\nIf you don't want to watch it, it is the clip from the Simpsons with the Itch and Scratchy show about piecing together cartoons.\n\nWas it a big insult, or was it cool to get name dropped?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I absolutely adored your show growing up. This last decade has been terrible, as it has for most people, and the new decade is going great so far. It even feels like the 90's in certain ways. Soundgarden is back, Toy Story 3, a possible new Twister, and the creator of Ren and Stimpy is on Reddit, talking to fans.\nYour show helped shape my childhood, and my sense of humor as a whole. I just want to thank you for helping to make the 90's the greatest decade there ever was. I wish television is as entertaining as it was then. \nI more than likely won't get a response, but I hope you get a chance to read this, and know that you are still respected by so many people, even ones who live in backwoods bible-thumpin' Eastern Kentucy such as my friends and I.\nWe love you.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "What rolls down stairs?\r\n\r\nAlone or in pairs,\r\n\r\nrolls over your neighbor's dog.\r\n\r\nWhat's great for a snack?\r\n\r\nWhat fits on your back?\r\n\r\nIt's LOG LOG LOG!\r\n\r\nIt's L-O-G it's L-O-G!\r\n\r\nIt's big it's heavy it's wood.\r\n\r\nIt's L-O-G it's L-O-G!\r\n\r\nIt's better than bad, it's good.\r\n\r\nEveryone wants a log,\r\n\r\ngo out and get a log.\r\n\r\nYou're gonna want a log.\r\n\r\nLOG LOG LOG!\r\n\r\n\r\n...Log, by Blammo!\r\n\r\nTrue genius. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I read once that you met with Michael Jackson to discuss a prospective project. Can you tell us what it was like meeting with him? ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "No question, but thank you for creating one of the best cartoons ever. Loved it as a kid, and recently rewatched it as an adult and I can say it is simply brilliant. Best of luck to you in the future :)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "John, I feel like that when Ren and Stimpy was on that it was the beginning of the end for traditional style animation and cartoons, meaning slapstick style comedy no longer seems to be part of cartoons today. \n\nHow do you feel about current cartoons shows? Also what do you think of Sponge Bob Square Pants as it clearly has been influenced by your work, especially in the way they use what I call the \"gross-up\" where you zoom in on something and it's a gross detail of a body part (or w/e) with hair, pimples, snot etc.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Where did you get the idea for the Ren and Stimpy episode were they try to steal the pig faces guarded by the baboon? That was fucked up...but easily my favorite episode. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I am a big fan of Ren & Stimpy, my wife and I keep a George Liquor doll on our computer desk at all times, for bringing these character into our lives, I say Thank You! \n\nQuestion though, how in the hell did this show end up on Nickelodeon, I guess the station was different then, from what it is now (they did air \"You Can't do that on Television\"). There were some points in many episodes that had me saying WTF!\n\nOne of these points being:\nThe rubber nipple salesman episode where they go to the fireman's house, he comes out talking about circus midgets, veins popping out of his neck. And then when he turns around, he has a walrus strapped to his back that says \"call the poooliiice\". I say that line to this day. Absolute classic.\n\nFavorite episode of all time: Space Madness - hands down. The ending cracks me up, always.\n\n",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I'm going to buy my first handgun next month. | I'm going to buy my first handgun next month after I get my bonus. I've been around guns my whole life, mostly rifles, but we had a 22 revolver when I was a kid. I'm thinking about a Glock 19. What type of ammo is the cheapest and most available, 9mm? Do you guys prefer the compact or subcompact models (the sub seems kinda small to me)? Also I live in Baltimore but travel to PA (where all my family is) many times a year. Would it be better to buy it and have it primarily registered in PA over MD? Are there any strange rules about carrying it over state lines? Lots of questions I know, Thanks in advance. | 20 | [
{
"body": "The Glock 19 is a good weapon, and an excellent choice for a first weapon, since carry is actually an option due to its size.\n\nFor you, given your proximity to NJ, ammoman.com might be a good bet. All prices are quoted as shipped and you should receive your ammo in 1 day. He'll also knock off a few bucks if you pick the stuff up in person.\n\n\nJust make sure that you get some basic training, and maybe buy some books or DVDs covering basic defensive gun handling. You should practice as much as possible, for example my wife and I shoot about 12 hours per month, which more or less amounts to one afternoon per weekend. Handgun proficiency is difficult to gain, but doing so will make you a much better shooter all around. \n\n\nI suggest buying a nice, thin, kydex IWB holster. Fist, Inc makes a very nice one that is also adaptable to other types of carry.\n\n\n\nOh, and we don't register guns in Pa, I don't know about Md.\n\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "9mm used to be \"the ubiquitous\" round, meaning it was easy to find and cheap. During the Great Ammo Shortage (last 18 months), it was one of the hardest to come by, because everyone newly into guns (meaning a LOT of people) was out there buying 9mm Glocks and hoarding ammo by the case(s).\n\nThe price for 9mm has now almost returned to normal, but availability is still sometimes low in regular stores, at least where I am (CA). It's probably still a worthwhile choice for a caliber, though.\n\nOthers will say \"for stopping power\" get a .45 or minimally a .40; there is still much debate on that point.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Gun laws in MD suck, I think there's something like a 7-day waiting period on a pistol. Any dealer will be able to tell you the rules when you go to buy.\n\nIf you're anywhere near VA, there's a range called Blue Ridge Arsenal, where you can rent guns (not very expensive) and try them out; I'm pretty sure they have a Glock in the cabinet.\n\nThe compact and subcompact models are really for conceal carry; yet another problem with MD, you'll have to be good friends with your governor to get one, honest law abiding citizens need-not apply.\n\nI recommend going to a gun show and picking up several different 9mm pistols and seeing which one fits your hand best. Check out the Springfield XD series, they are very nice.\n\nIf you buy the pistol from a dealer, he will require you to show him your driver's license; if you tell him that your \"real\" address is in Pennsylvania and have a Maryland driver's license, they'll generally tell you to go away.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "If you are going to carry the gun a lot then buy something small and light 9mm or even .380. If it's for home protection then get a shotgun.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "You may want to check out the \"safe passage\" provision of the [Firearm Owners Protection Act](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm_Owners_Protection_Act#.22Safe_passage.22_provision). IANAL, but I believe it may have some bearing on carrying your weapon across state lines.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Make sure to try out a lot of different handguns. Just because someone else likes it doesn't mean it will fit your hand. Glocks have a weird angle between the grip and barrel for my hands, so they aren't comfortable for me. Check out 1911's too, the old standby. Some manufacturers make them in 9mm as well.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "If your deciding factors are cheapest and most available ammo get a .22. If you aren't planning on carrying the gun or using it for hunting a .22 is a great gun. I shoot my Ruger 22/45 more than my other pistols. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "The Glock 19 is an excellent pistol if you have big hands. Glocks in general have thick grips and a long trigger reach, which makes it tough for people with medium or small hands (which includes me at 5'8\"). The magazines don't always drop free, and their design regularly pinches your hand when seating them. The grip angle is also different than the 1911, which can be a problem for people that shoot both.\n\nI much prefer the S&W M&P, which has a shorter trigger reach and interchangeable backstraps that let you customize the fit. It's a very solid system and won't come loose. The magazines reliably drop free and don't pinch your hand. I also like the lower bore axis, which reduces muzzle flip. I and many others were amazed that S&W produced such a fantastic pistol after decades of shipping crap.\n\nThe XD is also pretty good, but it has a higher bore axis and a poorer trigger that's also to be harder to improve. Crap also builds up fairly quickly under the XD's extractor for some reason. Mine has never failed to extract, but the extractor's grip on the case rim is not as positive after a few hundred rounds of dirty ammo.\n\nAll of these pistols are relatively easy to conceal. The Glock 17 and M&P Pro get a little big. The mini Glocks, M&Ps, and XDs are significantly harder to shoot well than their mid-sized kin.\n\nI like 9 mm because I can have Wolf 115 gr. delivered to my house for $230 per thousand. The difference between 9 mm, .40, and .45 isn't worth worrying about according to conversations with friends that have used them on others. It comes down to shot placement, and that comes with practice. A central nervous system hit with a 9 mm beats a gut shot with a .45.\n\nAnd speaking of shot placement, budget for a good pistol class with a reputable instructor. Tuition generally runs around $350.\n\nCan't help you with gun laws. Here in Georgia it's cash & carry. You can't buy booze on Sundays, but you can buy guns. What a state!",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Would I Be Insane to Program a Game by Myself? | So, I've had an idea for a turn-based strategy iPhone game for a while, and I'm wondering if it would be impossibly difficult to do it by myself. I learned C++ in high school, and recently taught myself objective c. But now that I'm starting to plan the logistics (from complex stuff like AI to simple stuff like determining legal moves) it's starting to seem a lot more daunting. Do any of you guys have any experience doing similar projects?
tldr: Read the title. | 20 | [
{
"body": "Make it playable as quickly as possible. Then iteratively develop all of the other features according to gameplay priority.\n\nYour biggest enemy is probably an unwillingness to edit. Don't be afraid to push some \"nice to have\" or \"requires huge rewrite\" features off to the side, while cranking through low-hanging fruit.\n\nAfter implementing the basic game architecture, you'll want to make adding bite-size feature-chunks as painless as possible. So I'd spend a lot of time planning the development in such a way that favors short release cycles. This will keep both you and your testers happy.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "Galcon was produced by one guy. Lots of these so-called \"indie\" games are from single developers. Start off with a simple idea and, like hyperbolist says, get something working. Get some graphics up right at the start. Then, turn it into to something fun.\n\nIf you're no good at graphics call it \"retro\". Nobody will know the wiser.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Do it. Play it, program it, play it until it is good!!!!\n\nBits at a time.\n\nGet tutorial books, make mockup, pay mockup, make better. Small steps!",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "It's possible - I created [Dead Panic](http://deadpanic.com/) by myself - but you have to be prepared to cut features mercilessly, and to be realistic about what you can accomplish. If I had it to do over, I would have started with a puzzle game that didn't require scripting a dozen levels by hand.\n\nAt every step I had to ask \"will it still be fun if we just have X?\" and \"Can I save Y for the next version?\"",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "A friend of mine from college released one game a month for all of 2009. [Check them out](http://ludusnovus.net/my-games/).\n\n</plug type=\"shameless\">",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Nah not insane at all. It might take you a while though. Some games out there were made in a day, but you have to have passion and dedication and talent for that. You might be able to crank through it in a month, but it might also take as long as a year, it all depends on how much of your day/week you devote to it.\n\nOh yeah and use libraries. SDL is pretty cool, I don't know if that works on the iPhone though. Libraries have done most of the work for you; don't reinvent the wheel they always say. I say, you can reinvent the wheel, that's how you get spinners; just don't reinvent the axel. Nobody can see it.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "If you are entirely willing to program a game by yourself, realize that there is always going to be something that you can't do as well as you'd like. Be willing to call in a favor to get some art done and the like.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "It depends how ambitious of a game you set out to build. I've found that the biggest problem I have with creating a \"whole game\" myself is that I am not an artist by any stretch. Sure I could look for free sprites online and use them in the product, but then that kind of rips away any of the uniqueness; it becomes more of an experimental mash-up than something with a life of its own.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Stanford University has an iPhone and iTouch class that you can download from iTunes for free. It teaches a great deal of iPhone specific programming. Give it a look.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I'm playing Fallout 3 and have a Karma Question. | Ok I've been playing this damn game nonstop for the past week, and it's fucking addicting! Anyway, did anyone have the balls to play this game with bad Karma??? I don't know what it is... but I just can't really get myself to do it...
Like the Slavers... at first I was like "hey I'll do some missions for you".. but like 1/2 into it I was like FUCK these guys are pricks, I'm gonna go fuck up those slaver for enslaving kids!
Anyway, just wondering did anyone play the game with full evil karma? Is it just tougher to play, as everyone hates you? Does anyone want to join your party? Are there any benefits in being totally evil? Because I've had pretty good benefits being a nice guy. | 28 | [
{
"body": "The only hard thing about playing evil was enslaving Bumble.\n\nQ\\_Q I'M SORRY BUMBLE, I'M SO SORRY! Q\\_Q",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "I actually haven't played through as good. \n\nActually, I always play evil, for any game; as soon as I find out that alignment is optional in a game, I decide evil, even before I own it. To me evil is just so much more fun: no worries about making people cry, or \"accidentally\" killing someone, or accidentally pissing someone off. I enjoy going out of my way to piss everyone off, and if someone pisses me off, I usually kill them.\n\nAnd, if the game has alignment based powers- I find the evil ones to be more entertaining, as well as the dialogue options and appearance.\n\nBut back to your question... \n\n>Like the Slavers... at first I was like \"hey I'll do some missions for you\".. but like 1/2 into it I was like FUCK these guys are pricks, I'm gonna go fuck up those slaver for enslaving kids!\n\nI personally love the slavers, while they may be somewhat asshole-ish, I can't stand the goody-goodyness of the good guys. \n\n>Anyway, just wondering did anyone play the game with full evil karma? Is it just tougher to play, as everyone hates you? Does anyone want to join your party? Are there any benefits in being totally evil? Because I've had pretty good benefits being a nice guy.\n\nHaven't played good, but I can't see it being tougher. Money matters are no longer an issue, as everything is free. Very few restricted access doors/areas of people's houses- they all seem to magically open for you, or you just *happen* to find people's personal keys in their pockets. Yeah- you can still hire followers, though I never used 'em. Benefits? Does lying your way through many conversations to get what you want sound like a benefit? Well, it is.\n\nAnd reverse pickpocket a frag grenade = funny stuff.",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "I loved stealing in Oblivion, so when this game came out, my goal was to steal, pickpocket, and lock pick as much as possible. I loved even more stealing from quest givers who had me collect an item, because I'd steal it right back. To counteract the tons of small bits of bad karma I got from stealing, every other decision I made was good. So even though I had been their \"Messiah\", I still had the evil knowledge in my mind that I had stolen nearly everything from every person I helped.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "I played it pretty evil like. I blew up megaton, killed a bunch of people, got dad mad at me at the end. SPOILER: didn't go into the chamber at the end. actually found it easier to be bad. some parts i played it good like when UGH SPOILER AGAIN: you free that mutant who in turns helps you but only to benefit me in the long run so i guess that's pretty evil. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I couldn't do an evil run my first time playing through. After I finished the game as a goody-two shoes I made a second character. He was pale with high cheek bones, a mowhawk, and his capacity for evil was retardedly high. \n\nThe benefits I saw from being evil right off the bat was that you get WAY more money from the start of the game. The sheer amount of crap you can steal and then sell is crazy. The other benefit is that you can get an ally early on, that old guy with the motorcycle helmet that hangs out at Megaton will join you for 1,000 caps and only if you are evil.\n\nWe ran around the wasteland and I equipped him with the cigarettes which he smoked up (because we were evil). \n\nAlso, become a cannibal!\n\nan evil run is pretty fun. I'm currently doing a neutral karma run which turned out more fun than it sounds.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "It's a videogame. Their arbitrary sense of karma is crap. Just play it as you feel, whatever you prefer. Don't go out of your way to play by the game's karma rules. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "It's not necessarily harder - in fact, a very early, very dick move in the game gets you quite a bit of money and a nice place to stay, as well as sets up some contacts for chance at future monetary gain. People will still want to join you, and because you're evil as crap, you rarely have to worry about money - you can steal from the folks that sell stuff, kill random people and take their junk, etc. Just save sorta often when you're doing that, you don't want to accidentally kill a quest-giver, even if it's not that important of a quest.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I played it both ways, good at first and evil at the end. From what I remember you don't miss out on too many parts of the game due to Karma. You can really play it on either side, or neutral, and get all the goodies. \n\nIn addition, I had so much fun playing this game as an evil bastard that I now I play any karma based games evil first. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I like to stay netrual because there's a perk that grants +30 to your speech if you maintain neutral karma. But somehow I'm a defiler right now (hey, I like to steal). Need to get it back up. \r\n\r\nAlso there's that guy who was trying to kill every NPC in the game. Last I heard he was having a pretty rough time. Anyone have the link?",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Dear Reddit, Plasma or LCD? | I prefer Plasma. I have purchased both, but I believe you can't go wrong with Panasonic Plasmas. I am curious to see what others think.
Just, FYI, LEDs are out of my reach price wise. I am in Europe, and a Plasma TV that is $729 in the US is $1100 here. Furthermore, here is the TV I am considering -- [Panny](http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P42S1-42-Inch-Plasma/dp/B001UE6M8O). | 3 | [
{
"body": "If picture quality is the number one concern: Plasma\n\nIf glare, power usage, weight, leaving still screens for more than 8 hours , or other issues are important to you: LED\n",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I have a buddy who works as a project engineer for an a/v systems integration company. In short, he and his coworkers see a ton of TVs.\n\nWhen I was looking for TVs last June he mentioned a few brands worth considering:\n\n* Plasma: Samsung, Panasonic, LG\n* LCD: Samsung, LG. Avoid Sharp (who is leaving the LCD market for now)\n\nHe felt that while Sony makes decent stuff, the other brands had a better quality/price ratio. Also 1080p is the way to go if you're considering blue-ray.\n\nLCDs can sometimes have issues with laggy motion response, and the industry has countered this by selling 120Hz displays and the like. It helps for some of the TVs and doesn't make much of a difference on others, and some LCDs without the 120Hz speed can look great too. So, when it comes to 120Hz go more by what you see on screen rather than what a salesman tells you.\n\nAlso, don't be afraid to change the color/brightness/contrast settings on the TV's to help you make your choice. \n\nI myself bought a Panasonic 42\" plasma, 720p (because it was super cheap and I have no interest at all in blue-ray) for $500 at Costco. Picture's great, glare wasn't too bad for me, and it's got 2 HDMI inputs.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Movies and television - plasma.\n\nGames and computer monitor - LCD.\n\nI got an LCD, and if I had to do it again, I think I'd get a Plasma. I really only use my TV as a monitor when I want to watch video on it, and the brightness you lose gaming is kind of unimportant, IMO.\n\nHaven't really looked into LEDs yet, I'm not rich ...",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Dear Reddit, I'm about to loose my job. Tomorrow.
I am paralyzed by fear. Any advice? | I have been working in only one place in my life, for a 1,5 year now. Though I was dreaming about doing something quite different in my life, and though I know that my job was crappy and completely not creative, I am totally scared. Is this even reasonable?
Any good advices what should I do next and how to cope with it? Looking for another job is obvious step, but I think I need something more, something to overcome that "my-future-is-doomed" feeling... | 7 | [
{
"body": ">Dear Reddit, I'm about to loose my job.\n\ntry tightening it. Then, update your resume in case it is still too loose. ",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "I know very much how you feel and it is an awful feeling. I was laid off once and it was the worst day of my life. I had recently been divorced due to my now ex cheating on me, and a few weeks later I was being told the company no longer had the money to keep everybody employed and they knew I was looking for a new job so I was out the door.\n\n\nTalk about getting kicked in the shins.\n\n\nThat said I did the only thing I knew how to do: I smiled and told myself I was having a great day until I started believing it. I networked my ass off and talked with every professional contact I had made to see what was out there and available. I was tenacious about my job search and made it my full time job. I ended up being gainfully employed again in less than 3 weeks time even though all of my original prospects from while I was still working fell through.\n\n\nThe most important thing you can do in terms of applying for the jobs you will find is to put in the effort to highlight why they should hire you. Tailor your resume, write a professional and convincing cover letter, and don't get discouraged by the high volume you have to put out to get a bite. Best of luck!",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "It's not that bad. I've been laid off a few times and you will go from feeling really scared to feeling really liberated in a very short time (think hours). When you leave, go out and do something for yourself tomorrow. Don't immediately get on Monster and start going nuts. \nWaiting one day is not going to change a damned thing. \n\nNext, Get your shit in order. On Wednesday, look at your finances and make the changes necessary to cope with a prolonged period of unemployment. Cut out what you can live without. Sharpen your resume up and start looking join a load of networking groups, do freelance work, etc.\n\nIt ain't that bad, trust me - though it will seem to be the worst thing ever, you'll most likely find it was for the better in the long run. Good luck.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Help! My Land Lord's realty agency is entering my apartment without knocking or notice! | Just a heads up, I live in Boston, MA.
This has been happening for way to long and it is finally getting to me. My Land lord/Property manager will enter my apartment without knocking, usually to show the apartment to possible new tenants. While I have no problem with having the apartment shown, I feel like they are trying to take advantage of me and my privacy and I've had it.
Here is the email I've already sent to my property manager:
I just wanted to inform you of the two incidents that happened today. One involving you and the other involving someone named "****".
When you arrived to show the apartment today, I had not received any information from you or any agents that you work with. You had knocked and then immediately used a key to enter without giving me a reasonable chance to comprehend who was even at the door.
The next incident happened at approximately 2pm the same day. Someone who I had never met in my life entered the apartment without knocking, ringing the bell, or saying a word. I did not know who it could possibly be, as I knew all other tenants were not planning on being back for hours. She was trying to show the upstairs apartment, but had somehow mistakenly had the key for an apartment she was not supposed to be showing. After calling you while she was upstairs, I confronted her and asked for some kind of identification. She said she didn't have a business card and that her name was "****".
I have a few problems with the situation today. Not only is it violation of the law to expect to enter my apartment unannounced to show it, it is a violation of my privacy and it is very frightening to have someone use a key to enter the apartment without even knocking.
I don't understand why one of your agents would have a key to an apartment that they don't intend to show, especially without notice.
I also don't understand why one of your agents would not have any identification on them, especially because they expect to be let into an apartment without knowing anyone who lives there. How am I supposed to know that they even work for your company?
While I have no problems with you showing the apartment, let me remind you that you are required by law to give us reasonable notice before entering the apartment and we have the right to negotiate a reasonable time that works best for us.
This is not the first time that we've had a problem with similar to this with another agent at a previous date, and it is a serious concern for us.
Let me know if you have any questions.
What should I do? I just want them to stop barging into my apartment... | 62 | [
{
"body": "Edit your self.post and change the four spaces at beginning of your lines to a >. It will get rid of the need for horizontal scroll.",
"score": 121
},
{
"body": "Make a scene in front of the people the apartment is being shown to. Speak loudly and clearly to the agent and the folks he's with about how people have keys and are entering your apartment without notice. Basically, make it a big cluster fuck for the agent and it won't happen again.",
"score": 62
},
{
"body": "Look up \"Renter's Rights\" followed by the state that you are in and the phrase \"uninvited entry\" or \"unauthorized entry\".\n\nYou will probably find quite a bit of information to wade through, but it will be worth your time to check through as much of it as you can, being sure to note any references to particular civil and property codes.\n\nYou should end up with enough ammo to stop future intrusions by presenting this information to your landlord and/or property management.\n\nIf they continue this practice, you may have grounds for a small-claims suit against them, as long as you document every incident and every attempt you make to circumvent the issue.\n\nGood luck to you!",
"score": 33
},
{
"body": "**No scrolling version:**\n\nI just wanted to inform you of the two incidents that happened today. One involving you and the other involving someone named \"****\".\n\nWhen you arrived to show the apartment today, I had not received any information from you or any agents that you work with. You had knocked and then immediately used a key to enter without giving me a reasonable chance to comprehend who was even at the door.\n\nThe next incident happened at approximately 2pm the same day. Someone who I had never met in my life entered the apartment without knocking, ringing the bell, or saying a word. I did not know who it could possibly be, as I knew all other tenants were not planning on being back for hours. She was trying to show the upstairs apartment, but had somehow mistakenly had the key for an apartment she was not supposed to be showing. After calling you while she was upstairs, I confronted her and asked for some kind of identification. She said she didn't have a business card and that her name was \"****\".\n\nI have a few problems with the situation today. Not only is it violation of the law to expect to enter my apartment unannounced to show it, it is a violation of my privacy and it is very frightening to have someone use a key to enter the apartment without even knocking. \n\nI don't understand why one of your agents would have a key to an apartment that they don't intend to show, especially without notice.\n\nI also don't understand why one of your agents would not have any identification on them, especially because they expect to be let into an apartment without knowing anyone who lives there. How am I supposed to know that they even work for your company?\n\nWhile I have no problems with you showing the apartment, let me remind you that you are required by law to give us reasonable notice before entering the apartment and we have the right to negotiate a reasonable time that works best for us.\n\nThis is not the first time that we've had a problem with similar to this with another agent at a previous date, and it is a serious concern for us.\n\nLet me know if you have any questions.\n",
"score": 28
},
{
"body": "Any reasonable human being would stop this practice following your email and issue you an apology in order to avoid later issuing a check in small claims court.\n\nIf your landlord does not behave like a reasonable human being and stop showing the unit without notice, contact the Housing Court of Massachusetts to have them issue an [Order](http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/housingcourt/housingquestions.html#27) declaring that your landlord must give you the notice which is legally mandated. If that Order is defied, your landlord can be held in contempt of court and you may have grounds for a small claims suit or the Housing Court may order your landlord to pay you a fine.",
"score": 27
},
{
"body": "a) Check your lease. What does it say about the landlord's right to access the premises?\n\nb) If you want them out, say loudly that they are on the premises without permission and are therefore trespassing, and should vacate before the police arrive (regardless of whether you called them or not) and that they will have permission to enter the premises when proper notice has been received\n\nc) You don't have a right to be there when they are - your schedules are not required to match - but notice may be required. Again, check the lease.",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "When you are home, put on the secondary / chain lock? If you don't have one - install one.\n\n\nThis won't do much good when you are not around, but at least gives you some warning if they do this while you are home.\n\n\nHave you given your notice to move out - and that is why they are showing the apartment? If not - why are they even showing your apartment? \n\n\nIf you are moving out soon-ish, I'd just make use of the chain lock, and try and get them to be on better terms with giving warning and suck up the annoyance. \n\nIf you are not moving out, and they are showing it for other reasons - I'd be making a far bigger fuss.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "Contact your local renters advocacy group. Renters rights are a law, not just a contractual agreement. Meaning they broke the law, not just your lease.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "My landlord did this once when showing my apartment. She just showed up with a nice looking couple without giving me notice that she'd be there. I wasn't even awake yet, and staggered out of my room half asleep and asked what the fuck she was doing here, and reminded her that she was in violation of the landlord tenant agreement.\n\nThe couple looked super uncomfortable and excused themselves, and I got a nice little rent credit.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "I had the exact same problem, in the exact same state (I was in Lowell, though, not Boston.)\n\nThe first time my landlord showed up unannounced and opened the door with his key, my wife was home alone and freaked out a little. He said he was there to check if our pipes had frozen the night before. I complained to him on the phone and he apologized, so I thought that'd be it...\n\nThe second time he sent a plumber to the unoccupied apartment across the hall from ours, but gave him our key. The plumber saw the apartment number on the keychain, and opened our door while we were getting ready to leave in the morning. Again, I complained.\n\nThe third time we came home and caught him inside our apartment, smoking and on the phone. I complained loudly and he said he had the wrong apartment by mistake... I called bullshit, but nothing was missing or anything, so I just followed up with a complaint letter.\n\nThen one day we'd stayed home on a weekday and while having breakfast we hear him coming up the stairs and talking on his cell. then I hear him playing around with his keys, so I stood in front of the door. He put the key in, turned it, and when he had opened the door about a foot, I kicked it closed as hard as I could and yelled \"WHAT THE FUCK! I'M CALLING THE POLICE!\" pretending I didn't know it was him. It was actually kinda funny: he hurt his hand and fell and actually ran down the stairs moaning like a retard, before coming back up and apologizing and asking me not to call the cops. That was the last unexpected visit we got from that creep before we moved out.\n\n**TL;DR: Next time you hear anybody about to walk into your place unannounced, stand by the door and as soon as they open it a bit, kick it closed as hard as you fucking can and yell \"I'm calling the cops!\"**",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "Don't wear pants in your apartment in case they do it again, and leave some disgusting porn on the television when you're not around. \n\nSeriously though, your email should be enough unless your landlord is retarded. Since tenant's rights vary so much between states, it's hard to say what else you can do. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Finally registered an account simply to pass this on - I live in the Boston area too and this has always been a pet peeve of mine.\n\nhttp://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocaterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Housing+Information&L3=Tenant+%26+Landlord&sid=Eoca&b=terminalcontent&f=tenants_rights_and_responsibilities&csid=Eoca\n\nSorry about the long link but the information you want can all be found there. The pertinent section is as follows:\n\nRights Against Unlawful Entry\n\nYour landlord, or an agent for your landlord, may only enter your apartment for the following reasons:\n\n * To inspect the premises;\n * To make repairs;\n * To show the apartment to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents;\n * In accordance with a court order;\n * If the premises appear to be abandoned; or\n * To inspect the premises within the last 30 days of tenancy in order to determine the amount of \ndamage to be deducted from the security deposit.\n\nThe landlord should be reasonable and attempt to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit the apartment. If the landlord insists on entering your apartment in an unreasonable fashion, you may file for a temporary restraining order at your local district court (M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 14 and 15B).\n\nAlso note that the law is heavily weighted toward tenants (e.g. they hit landlords with triple damages in courts for violations etc.) In my experience if you bring this up to your landlord and site the above, they come around quickly.\n\nBest of luck- \n\nEDIT: Formating \n\n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "When I saw the stars I thought, \"I'll think of him as Rick\", then later on you said it was a girl. I'm going to go lie down.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Buy a gun, point it at whoever enters your home without permission. If they refuse to leave, activate it. After the first time, they won't want to bring potential tenants for fear of scaring them away.\n\nHowever, some states allow the landlord to show the apartment during the last 20 days of your lease during normal business hours without asking you.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": ">While I have no problems with you showing the apartment...\n\nWhy the fuck would you even let them show your apartment? ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Get a portable door lock. If you are home they can't enter the door until you release it. [Some are even <$10](http://www.google.com/products?q=portable+door+lock&hl=en&scoring=p&lnk=pruser&price1=5.94&price2=)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "WOW! Do you have Boston Union Realty, too??? They did the same shit to me. Here's what you need to know:\n\nIt should say in your lease that they need to give you some sort of notice. IF THEY DIDN'T, then they have breached their contract, and you know that if you had done that, they'd come down on you hard. So, you have every right to take them to court and get out of your lease. I would do it. The same kind of people willing to do that are also willing to steal from you when you're gone and pretend to lose your rent checks to hit you with late fees. Not worth it. Let me know how it goes. IF YOU DO rent with Boston Union PLEASE PM me, because together we can scare them into stopping this shit more effectively than either of us alone could. Good luck.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I need advice for my girlfriend. | My girlfriend and I moved in with each other after her second semester in university. She'd had a scholarship but lost it due to grades. I was just about to start my first semester.
Turns out we're both slackers, and we stopped going halfway through the semester. I was okay because I had a scholarship. She didn't and now she can't get a loan or anything to pay the tuition she owes. She can't go back until it's paid off, her father will be furious, and she's not even sure she'll be able to make the minimum payments.
We're aware that we don't work well together because of things like this, and we have basically mutually agreed to separate when we can. I feel partially responsible, but she says she stopped going to class before me and just never told me about it.
That said, I am asking for advice on what one does in this situation. I don't expect any cheats, and I don't mean to imply that anything in this situation is unwarranted, although it happened from stupidity on our parts, not from any sort of malice.
Just tell me what I can tell her so she'll stop crying I guess.
EDIT: She can't go back. She has loans from past semesters. But she failed this semester so she can't get a loan on it. She can't go back until she pays the tuition, which will take her a while. | 3 | [
{
"body": "This is what happens when you're irresponsible. My suggestion is to tell your girlfriend to grow up. She will go home, get a minimum wage job and pay her way through community college and/or attend a vocational school.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Depending on the type of loan - federal loans have an [economic hardship deferral.](https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/DefermentFormList.do?cmd=doViewRequirements&wizardName=Economic%20Hardship%20Deferment)\r\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": ">Just tell me what I can tell her so she'll stop crying I guess.\n\nI dont know what you can tell her, but a handful of cornstarch ( in a pinch sawdust will do) in the eyes will dry those tears right up. \n",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Trying to understand some things... | I've been in a kind of heated debate in MensRights lately. The issue was about when men have unwanted children. My position is that men should generally be using condoms when they have sex, and they will greatly reduce their risk for unwanted children.
My question to you is this: if you are in a new relationship and you are on hormonal birth control already, would you be offended if your new boyfriend wants to use condoms, which he is providing himself? Why or why not?
I can understand the desire to forgo condoms for the sake of intimacy and pleasure, but I can't wrap my mind around being infuriated and offended by the idea that your new partner would rather use condoms than not. To me, it's just being safe.
Edit: would you be OK if the condom is not just for the beginning of the relationship? Is it really an issue of "trust" if your boyfriend thinks that two methods of BC are better than one? | 26 | [
{
"body": "In the beginning of a new relationship I would be worried if he *didn't* want to use a condom. \r\n\r\nIt took about 6 months for me and my current bf to stop using condoms, and that was after we both went and got tested for STD's.",
"score": 33
},
{
"body": "If someone is offended by you taking your birth control and STI/STD prevention into your own hands, that person isn't mature enough to be having sex. It's one thing to be in a long-term, trusting relationship and decide as a couple that condoms aren't necessary anymore. It's another thing to actually demand that your new partner potentially put you at risk when they'd rather take measures to keep both of you safe.\n\n",
"score": 31
},
{
"body": "I've always planned on telling my son to ALWAYS use a condom - doesn't matter if your girl swears up and down that she is on the pill and has an IUD... if he doesn't want a child it is HIS responsibility to make sure HE does not father a child.\r\n\r\nIt's personal responsibility. I'm also going to teach him how to do his own laundry :P",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "Even in a commited and long term relationship I would rather my partner use condoms... yes even when I am on alternative forms of birth control.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy?\r\n\r\nBecause a few years ago I was involved in a research project that found that married women in supposedly monogomous relationships had the highest incidence of HIV / AIDS. \r\n\r\nI would be happy if my partner used condoms. It indicates not only does he take not having biological children as seriously as I do but having safer-er sex is just as important to him as it is to me. ",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "I would not be offended. At the early stages of a relationship you should always use condoms at least until both partners have gotten themselves tested for STDs. As I see it thats just common courtesy to your partner and yourself. \n\nAnd if a man definitely doesn't want to have children he should use condoms at all times. If he wants to be 100% sure he should not have vaginal intercourse at all*. Why? Because you can't force a woman to have an abortion. Just as men have to respect that right women have to respect men who chose not to take any risks when it comes to unwanted pregnancies.\n\n*Or as my clever fiancé just pointed out, if he doesn't ever want kids he should just get sterilized.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "I wouldn't be offended unless the guy flat-out said \"you know, in case you're trying to oops me.\" If he said \"in case you forget a pill,\" or \"for STD protection,\" or \"I just am more comfortable with it,\" that'd be fine.",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "I can't imagine being offended by someone wanting to use a condom. Hell, it was mandatory for me once we found out there were veneral diseases that could KILL YOU. If the guys are saying women won't have sex with them if they want to use condoms I think they're flat out lying to you.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "I would probably be minimally offended. There's that issue of trust, but...I would understand why a guy who has only known me for a month or two would not fully trust me. I might be offended if he's still using them after a year or two, but by then it would probably just be a part of my routine. I personally don't like the way sex feels with condoms--there might as well just be a dildo inside of me. But usually, men like it even less. I was with a guy who enjoyed wearing condoms, and I wasn't at all offended by it. Then again, that wasn't someone I planned to spend the rest of my life with, so there wasn't much he could do to offend me.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I would never, ever be offended. Extra safety. Plus, what if one of us (knowingly or not, I don't know how long this theoretical couple has been together, or how often they get tested) has an STD? I'd rather give up a little extra sensitivity and not have electrogonorrhea. ",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "In this day and age...? Who *wouldn't* be happy that her partner is taking responsibility for his health and future?\n\nSeriously, if I were a guy and a girl did that to me, it would be a deal breaker.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "You were actually over in MensRights arguing with them? Wow.\n\nI read what you wrote and you did a great job of holding your own. ",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "lots and lots of babies are born because women didn't know that their other medications interfered with their birth control. Condoms for teh win.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "i'm the kind of person who doesn't like to get into relationships unless i KNOW (feel, am positive, etc etc) that it's going to be a long term one. that being said, if i was just fooling around and having sex with someone i wouldn't be offended if they wanted to use condoms even though i'm on the pill - i kind of demand it.. \n\nif i were at the beginning of what i was sure to be a long term relationship, i would take his desire to use condoms as a sign that he wasn't sure that i was a long term thing and that's why i'd be upset. to be honest though i've never met a boy who enjoys wearing condoms so i don't know how i would feel",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "It's his penis. He is allowed to put a condom on it if he wants to. I have no more right to tell him not to wear one than he would have the right to refuse to if I asked.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I would not be offended unless he outright said he was doing it because he thought I might lie about taking my pill in order to trap him into having a baby. In which case I'd dump him before I even had a chance to be offended. I don't want to be with anyone who thinks so little of me.\n\nThis is a scenario those /r/mensrights have raved about lots on reddit, so I wouldn't be surprised if that was the motivation some of them have for insisting on condoms.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I'm in a committed, serious relationship going on a year, and after two months of sex, we stopped using condoms in addition to my birth control. I am currently considering asking my boyfriend if we can start using condoms again in addition to my birth control. Why not?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": ">My position is that men should generally be using condoms when they have sex, and they will greatly reduce their risk for unwanted children.\n\nIt shouldn't just be up to the men to use protection. \n\nAs per your question, I would not be offended. I would actually be impressed. I'v never had sex with a man who liked condoms, and seeing as i' almost always been on birth control, I have never used one before. A man who wants to use a condom despite the fact that I am already on birth control just tells me that he is intent on being as safe as possible, even if that means it might make sex slightly less enjoyable for himself. \n\n\n\n\nThat being said, I actually have a ton of compassion for men that end up with kids they don't want, because unlike a woman, they are stuck with the option \"don't have sex\". I am probably in the vast minority as a female in a female subreddit, but I believe in a man's right to abort custody of an unwanted child, provided it's within the time period that a woman can abort a child whether they had safe sex or not (ultimately leading back to the ideal that it's not 100% up to the man to use protection)\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "New relationship? No. Long term relationship? Yes. In the beginning it's only logical and responsible. But if are really serious, love each other, so on and so forth, and you trust that your BC is reliable, that's when it would become insulting. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I know I am going to get down voted, but I am from the midwest, so hear me out. Women in this area are extremely deviant in getting pregnant. I have actually coached my sons who aren't even prepubescent yet to never leave it to the other person to be responsible. Not just for the STD purpose, but women I have known will \"say\" they are on birth control to \"trap themselves a man\". I know it sounds a bit Jerry Springer-ish. The thing is, from what I have seen, not just here, but other places I have lived, women tend to be very deceptive if they want out of a \"home\" situation or feel that is the only way they can make a man stay with them. I don't say this is all women, but at least a man is taking responsibility for his reproduction and health by using a condom even if she is using bc. She forgets to take the pill or some other freak thing , antibiotics, or take your pick... you have a potential for disaster. Sometimes these things work out, other times they don't. Just saying as I have told my sons(4, 2 over the age of 5) that they are responsible. Do not leave it for someone else or they could have consequences they may not want.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
TIL Bob Marley was half white. | I actually new for about six months, but no one seems to know. It caught me by complete surprise. His father was in the Royal Navy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley | 33 | [
{
"body": "I would not have guessed that [this is what his dad looked like.](http://www.pobladores.com/data/pobladores.com/ki/st/kistro_de_malaga/channels/zonareggae/images/5371819padrebob.jpg)",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "Appearances can be deceiving, no one would guess im 1/2 black. People generally accept only what race is most obvious to onlookers.",
"score": 7
}
]
|
Hey Reddit, what are your personal projects? Websites, games, photography, or anything you've worked hard on. I'm curious to see what other redditors have made. SHAMELESS PLUG TIME: GO | I'm curious to see what other redditor's are up to - Websites, or other personal projects that you've spent time on and would like to showcase to the rest of us. Commercial or otherwise, this is a thread for shamelessly plugging your creations.
**EDIT:** Wow, I feel bad now for the most recent ~700 submissions, who aren't getting any views way down the list - but lots of which is really great stuff!
**How about a subreddit for everyone's submissions? [/r/shamelessplug](http://reddit.com/r/shamelessplug)** | 896 | [
{
"body": "I drew a picture of a city at the smallest scale I could.\n\n[Pixel City](http://imgur.com/UOWUS)\n\nIt started with me drawing a house, with windows one pixel, door two pixels and walls one pixel thick. \n\nNow it has become an urban sprawl.\n\n\nEDIT: Updated picture with reddit alien now. Took me a few attempts to get it looking right. I'm out of practice.",
"score": 733
},
{
"body": "Here is something I drew, its on an A2 sized paper, done in pencil: [Link](http://www.ville-ericsson.se/sketchbook2/electronicgamingsmall.jpg)\nand another one (NSFW): [Link](http://www.ville-ericsson.se/sketchbook2/emergentbehaviorbig.jpg)\n",
"score": 512
},
{
"body": "I'll take any opportunity to plug YouTube stuff:\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/HatPerson\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/HalfMastHat",
"score": 459
},
{
"body": "Interactive Space Simulator.\n\nEvery few years since 1993, I'd spend some time working on a gravity simulator for my own amusement. A couple years ago I picked up the idea again and never stopped working on it. In fact, I've left my job and I'm now working full time on a major revision that I'll be releasing in a few months:\n\nhttp://universesandbox.com/\n\nScreenshots from the new in-progress version (to be released in early 2010):\n\nhttp://universesandbox.com/blog/2010/01/universe-sandbox-2/\n\nHere are some screenshots of the earlier versions (1993, 1997, 2000):\n\nhttp://dandixon.us/programming/planets.htm\n\nYou can simulate full scale models of our solar system with all 160+ moons and then drop in another star to see what would happen. Or toss a large planet near Saturn and watch its rings get distorted into a beautiful, seemingly-organic shape.\n\nMy motivation is no longer primarily for myself, but to help people discover how awesome our universe is. It's my favorite thing I've ever done.",
"score": 398
},
{
"body": "I started a small non-profit organization. We ask people to donate $1 a month and then everyone votes on where the money goes. http://www.onedollarnation.org",
"score": 361
},
{
"body": "Drove a car with an iphone and got it featured on a lot of blogs and even cnn.com. Also played halflife with real guns. you might have seen our work on [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/waterloolabs).\n\nwe're [waterloo labs](http://www.waterloolabs.com)",
"score": 282
},
{
"body": "I can't imagine there's much of an audience for it on reddit, but here is my knitting: [peacock shawl](http://imgur.com/CAlBm.jpg) , [knitted plastic bag](http://imgur.com/Ti3OS.jpg) , [fish hat](http://imgur.com/ZrArW.jpg)",
"score": 280
},
{
"body": "I built this site about a year ago that lets you plot the exact spot on the other side of the world from the address you enter:\n\nhttp://antipodr.com/",
"score": 184
},
{
"body": "I'm a 19 year old who took a three-month trip to Nepal to work on a computer project, alone. I had the phone number of a friend-of-a-friend, and we emailed back and forth for a week before I set off -- but that was it. \n\nI built computers based on the 945GSE chipset from Intel and distributed them with pre-installed educational content on an Ubuntu platform. The computers are a bit different because they draw 12V DC instead of 110-240V AC, so I had them running of car batteries in areas with very little electricity. Next month I'll be going to Ghana to do the same thing.\n\nEDIT: Oh, and here's [my website](http://www.nepal.charlesparkerwatson.com).",
"score": 163
},
{
"body": "When I'm not lurking on reddit, I paint and show my artwork in galleries around the SF Bay area --\n\n[daily art blog](http://blowatlife.blogspot.com)\n\n[art portfolio site](http://www.suckatlife.com/artwork.html)",
"score": 152
},
{
"body": "My current project is just on paper at the moment, spanning a couple of books now.\nI'm taking a stab at building an improved light switch using linear touch strips to control the level of brightness. \n\nIts part of my Home Automation idea using a Neural network to find usage patterns to change the schedule, so the house learns from how you live. ",
"score": 149
},
{
"body": "Hoo boy... Where do I start :]\n\nWriting a book about the needless war between the religious right and the new atheists, with everyone else (the sensible people) caught in between:\n\nhttp://www.atheistspy.com\n\nWriting articles for aviation magazines, one about the 787's first flight and one about Edwards AFB (its history, all the cool prototypes and X-planes that have been tested there over the year, the stuff going on right now at NASA's Dryden flight research center, etc). Nothing to link to yet, but... here are a couple of my previous articles along the same lines. One is about the Red Bull Air Race and the other is about the A160 and X-50 experimental helicopters:\n\nhttp://www.airplanedesign.info/RacingTheWind.pdf\n\nhttp://www.airplanedesign.info/NextGenerationHelicopters.pdf\n\nAlso making a few drawings. One series will be nine airplane drawings to decorate one large wall of my living room. (I am a volunteer aviation photojournalist on weekends, so the drawings will be of cool airplanes that are not flown anymore so sadly I will never get to photograph them in the air. Santos Dumont Demoiselle, N3N Kaydet, Shorts Solent, Horten 9, Blackbird, Concorde, V-Jet 2, X-36, and Global Flyer or maybe X-47A). Another series are portraits of my best friends and closest relatives that I will give to them as gifts. These are all black-and-white, mostly pencil with some inked details, on paper around 12x18 or 18x24. Nothing special.\n\nTwo web projects that have fallen by the wayside:\n\nWebsite about how to take good pictures with a not-necessarily-professional digital camera, and how to choose a digital camera. Explains what aperture, shutter-speed, and ISO are, as well as lens focal length and things like image stabilization, talks about the impact of these things, how to focus on your subject, how to take the best images possible in low light, etc. Haven't updated it in about a year, will probably shorten it and update the \"top cameras\" page over the coming weeks:\n\nhttp://easyphotography.info\n\nAnd writing up the content of a \"History of Aviation Technology\" course that I created and taught when I was in college:\n\nhttp://www.airplanedesign.info\n\nThose are my projects. But I have other hobbies. Like I said, I volunteer as an aviation photojournalist:\n\nhttp://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2173512&id=203796&l=048a7b9b3d\n\nhttp://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2174115&id=203796&l=9fee034028\n\nI also volunteer at a middle school. We do this:\n\nhttp://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/educators_guide.html\n\nI'm also getting a masters in aerospace engineering:\n\nhttp://mapp.usc.edu/mastersprograms/degreeprograms/AME/MSAE_DEN.html\n\nAnd for 40 hours a week I work at Boeing improving our fracture-mechanics models, and that pays for all the rest of my activities.\n\nI do occasionally get some sleep ;]",
"score": 121
},
{
"body": "Working on drawing up wallpapers for all my favourite games. Here's the Psychonauts one. :D (Drew it first, 'cause Psychonauts is the bomb.)\r\n\r\nhttp://fc04.deviantart.net/fs51/f/2009/314/0/a/Psychonauts_Wallpaper_by_Ayem.jpg\r\n\r\n(If that link doesn't work, http://ayem.deviantart.com/art/Psychonauts-Wallpaper-143132219)\r\n\r\nOn a side note, I'm enjoying looking at all the work reddit has produced. Good thread, I say!",
"score": 99
},
{
"body": "I built this joke site about a year ago. Nobody thought it was funny but me.\n\nYou can pretty much tell what it's about based on the url:\n\nNSFW!\n\nhttp://moneyfucking.com",
"score": 96
},
{
"body": "This pretty much kills the anonymity of my account but here goes....\n\nI wrote a complete dice-and-paper RPG (250+ pages... probably way more). Then when I wasn't satisfied with that I decided to create a database driven, search capable, indexed version of the exact same book. [Chronicles of Kantia](http://www.kantia.net). Oh, and the game is free for non-commercial use because I like the idea of giving away intellectual property for the world to share. All of the game rules are finished and functional, and most of them have been extensively play-tested too! Parts of the game world and map are still waiting for me to finish writing them, and sadly, having a job and social life really get in the way of me working on adding most material.\n\nAlso, as a huge fan of the Wii, but a huge hater of the Wii Friendcode system I created [FriendcodeCentral.com](http://www.friendcodecentral.com) which is a sort of mini social network to allow my friends and I share our cumbersome friend codes. I wrote it in a single weekend while my girlfriend was hogging the system playing Tomb Raider Anniversary. This site is functional, but many features are still needing designed. It is still running, but I admit that I have pretty much stopped maintaining it once my friends and I lost interest in Nintendo's weak online gaming offerings.\n\nI was also in a band for several years that did a lot of recording but ultimately went nowhere. It was fun while it lasted and I got a chance to play with one of the most amazing drummers I've ever seen.",
"score": 84
},
{
"body": "I will shamelessly plug a relevant subreddit: [r/somethingimade](http://www.reddit.com/r/somethingimade), made for sharing redditors' personal projects. I'm a mod there, but I didn't make it.",
"score": 80
},
{
"body": "I'm a visual artist. I make surreal drawings with ballpoint.\n\n* [A detail from the giant (for me, 19.5x25.5\") new drawing I'm working on.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/diversionmary/3892270676/in/set-994726/).\n\n* [My portfolio site](http://www.ericthomasbostrom.com/)\n\n* [My scraps/sketchbook/whatever site](http://www.diversionmary.com/)\n\n* [My collaborative site](http://www.cheeseissliced.com/)\n\n* I'm also teaching myself [how to tattoo](http://www.flickr.com/photos/diversionmary/sets/72157613654690784/)\n\nThanks for looking!\n\n",
"score": 76
},
{
"body": "Sewing. [Quilts](http://imgur.com/PPQ53), [bags](http://imgur.com/t1wwi), [wizard robes for friends](http://imgur.com/dPrYr), etc. Sounds very grandmotherly, but it keeps me occupied and entertained (which I guess is the point of personal projects, right?).",
"score": 71
},
{
"body": "I write (free) music with a Nintendo Entertainment System as Active Knowledge, and founded BOSTON8BIT as a collective of chiptune artists that play shows all around the city (FYI, come to Middle East upstairs on 1/14 for myself w/ minusbaby, Disasterpeace and Oxygenstar! 5 BUX).\n\nhttp://listen.activeknowledgemusic.com - Listen/download here\n\nhttp://vimeo.com/8639475 - Watch me be crazy here\n\nhttp://boston8bit.com - Read about shows here\n\nhttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246455736857&index=1 - Cool show Thursday night 1/14\n\nhttp://www.facebook.com/mistermahoney - Add me as your friend on facebook, I like you already :-)\n\nEdit: I should mention that I feel like I'm living my dream right now.\n\nSuper-edit: Shameless plug within shamelessplug: http://www.reddit.com/r/shamelessplug/comments/aog17/active_knowledge_music_free_music_created_with/",
"score": 68
},
{
"body": "I am writing a book. Its about the end of this world and the start of a drastically different one borne from the ashes of a war between two rival factions. It is set in England but the war is world wide.\n\nThe protagonists, Ford Blackwater, and his dog see the genesis of the war but are separated early on in the book. One goes one way and the other goes, well, the other. The day after the apocalypse Ford gets put in a jail cell with his arms and legs bound and his eyes, mouth, ears, etc covered. he is a prisoner in both his body and the literal sense. After a good year of this he is broken out by a rival faction....or is he?\n\nBoth his world and himself have changed without him. Eventually the mystery unravels of why he was locked up and everything goes from bad to worse.\n\nThe story is centred around the human cost, etc and how, no matter how bad things get, humans will make it that much worse for each other. The title is *Tyrants*. Expect it in the bargain bin next year folks.\n\n\nGot 30,000 words down now. Only another 70,000 or so to complete the damn thing.\n\n\nAny redditors interested in this?\n\n\nEDIT: Thanks peoples. I shall post stuffs and the like in r/writing. keep a beady eye!",
"score": 59
},
{
"body": "My on-going project for the past seven years has been a 1967 Ford Mustang.\n\nI got this car at the start of my senior year in HS (looking like this http://imgur.com/QyEtL)\n\nWhen I first got this car, I didn't know the difference between an engine and a transmission, let alone how they work. At this point I have rebuilt: engine, fuel system, transmission (rebuilt and swapped in a 5 speed manual), differential, suspension, brakes (converted to disks in the front), interior, and body. I had to either learn how to do whatever the task at hand was from a book, forum sites, or by myself. I've currently put around $12,000 into the car including the cost of buying it.\n\nThe most expensive and time consuming part of this project has been the body work. At one point, she looked like this: http://imgur.com/KnmwS\n\nHere is how she is now:\n\nhttp://imgur.com/tNrXW\n\nhttp://imgur.com/B3kTt\n\nhttp://imgur.com/SXtLv",
"score": 54
},
{
"body": "Okay, seeing as you asked...\n\nMy new novel, approved today, will be on Amazon.com in about five weeks: The Black Shadow.\n\nIt's a personal project that has taken me quite some time to put together, I'm really proud of it, it may be POD, but who cares, it's got my name on it and I know of two people that thought it was good enough to buy for friends as Xmas presents.\n\n[The Black Shadow](http://markchandler.eu/blackshadow/index.html)",
"score": 52
},
{
"body": "I am trying to get as many people as I can to draw a corn bunting. A little bird that is disappearing fast from the UK. No real reason but perhaps if I got enough I could make a book and sell it with the proceeds going to help the bird. 83% have disappeared in 50 years and I am battling hard to stop the decline. No easy task though.\n\nI don't have very many but then I don't have any webskills to make a website, I probably will host them on imgur or somewhere like that. \n\nIf any of you want to have a go please do. It doesn't need to be an amazing piece of art. In fact my favourite is this... http://imgur.com/fJRZq.jpg which a redditor did for me as a joke",
"score": 50
},
{
"body": "Why, yes I do!\r\n\r\n* My show about beer: http://www.brewcast.tv\r\n* My forum about making beer: http://www.homebrewchatter.com\r\n* My band! http://www.facebook.com/dunetrain\r\n* Some songs of ours (bad quality, need headphones or real speakers to hear all instruments): http://www.anotherprofile.com/Dune%20Train.mp3 http://www.anotherprofile.com/Two%20People.mp3\r\n* Painting I did of my dog: http://i.imgur.com/UhVBV.jpg",
"score": 47
},
{
"body": "Uhh, really? *SHAMELESS PLUG*? haha fine.\n\nIPhone App [Alley Tally](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alley-tally/id340518435?mt=8)\n\nWorked on it with a partner, scoring and archiving your bowling scores as your bowling career progresses. Tracks and crunches various stats. Helps you realize if you've been doing something particular that's keeping you from bowling a perfect game. Has some elements of xbox's 'achievements' when you use it in multiplayer mode, keeps things semi competitive within the team!\n\nbasically it was a learning experience, trying to make back enough money to pay back the dev costs. \n\n*edit to clarify it's for iphone",
"score": 41
},
{
"body": "Most recently: [A workbench](http://www.rjones3.net/2009/12/27/sketchup-workbench/)\n\nI made the apparatus in this experiment that flew on a NASA Microgravity Flight: [Visualization of Dusty Plasmas](http://www.rjones3.net/2009/11/15/nasa-microgravity-university-trip-report/)\n\nI made this: [Aluminum Flash Drive](http://www.rjones3.net/projects/aluminum-usb-drive/)\n\nAlso this: [KAP Rig](http://www.rjones3.net/projects/kite-aerial-photography/)\n\nAnd this!: [CD Lamp](http://www.rjones3.net/projects/cd-lamp/)\n",
"score": 32
},
{
"body": "i made a few mashups of popular songs last summer. here's one of them that i posted to reddit that didn't get any upvotes. =(\n\n[mgmt vs. u2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ARcDw0sG-Y)\n\n\nedit:\n\nHere are the other two I made last summer:\n\n[garbage vs. pussycat dolls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGh6U9seVS8)\n\n[empire of the sun vs. justin timberlake](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU1sq6414PE)\n",
"score": 30
},
{
"body": "We had a few kids in our neighborhood who had a go-kart but the engine didn't work; it took three of them to push it up the hill, then they'd take turns riding it down. \n \nI don't have much engine experience, but I gave it a go, did some reading on the internets, and I was able to rebuild their engine so they don't have to push it anymore (I guess I could also be legally response if the kids run into someone's car, etc.) \n \nThey helped me rebuild it, so now all of them are interested in what they can do to help make it faster or run better, and also customize it. I'm a welder by trade and used to build custom rides, so they pooled some money together to get another engine, we stripped down one of the kid's sister's electric moped (the daisy lookin' one), installed a 5hp engine and modded it to look more like a chopper. Now they have two rides, and they're lovin the creation part so much I think they're trying to pull together to make a third one. \n \nThinkin' about starting a youth group to keep them busy and creative so they stay away from the older kids in the neighborhood who aren't the brightest.",
"score": 30
},
{
"body": "[I'm designing a spacecraft to go to the Moon](http://imgur.com/VelAw.jpg)\n\n[CSTART](http://cstart.org/forum/) - The \"Born on Reddit\" Moonshot. ",
"score": 29
},
{
"body": "I'm doing the design for a small 65 page book that will teach you some new simple thinking techniques to make you more creative. It will have an initial run of 100.000 copies. Exciting stuff.",
"score": 28
},
{
"body": "[my old album is available for free download here](http://www.thesixtyone.com/joeyoga/#/joeyoga/album/The+Dreamless+Sea/15771/). I'm working on a new one due out this spring, and there are two cuts [I'm previewing on my website here](http://goyogago.com/tag/life-out-east/).",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "dummy account for this but me and a friend have searching the city for those big grey squares that get painted over graffiti that are ever so ugly, and painting the squares pink... I give you, anti-anti-graffiti-graffiti: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37780875@N05/page2/\n",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "[MilkyWay@Home](http://milkyway.cs.rpi.edu/milkyway) -- It uses the same software as SETI@Home, except instead of searching for ET we're trying to make accurate 3D models of the Milky Way. Doing the computer science behind this was the majority of my PhD work.\n\nIt's been pretty amazing to see a little project go from just our personal computers to around 25,000 volunteered hosts in about two years. It's currently running at about 700 teraflops, which to me is pretty insane.\n\nSo, shameless plug to all you redditors. Does anyone want to volunteer their computer and help out? :) We'd really like to break the petaflop barrier this year. :P",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "I'm about to quit my job, get married and travel around the world for two years and have built up my very first website, [RollGlobal.com](http://www.rollglobal.com) so that people can follow us. There's not much up there yet, but we will be writing a lot about rock climbing and bike touring.",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "Most recently, I created [**buuurn**](http://buuurn.com), which has seen some exposure on reddit.\n\nGo on, click it. It's kind of entertaining.",
"score": 20
},
{
"body": "Hey everyone, my named Warren and I'm pretty new to Reddit. I'm an art student from Toronto and I've been reading posts and things on here for a long time but this is my first actual post ever. Nice to meet you guyz.\n\nI have a musicial project called Foxes in Fiction which I've been doing in various incarnations ever since I was 15 (I'm 20 now). It started as a little bedroom thing in the 10th grade (I've been playing guitar since I was about 10) where I recorded single tracks into a plastic PC microphone into Cool Edit Pro. I basically started it to get around the fact that I didn't know many other musicians at that age, let alone have a band. The result was mostly really distorted and lo-fi instrumental things and covers of songs that I liked at the time.\n\nSince then, it's still remained essentially a solo bedroom music project but I've broadened the types of music I make (from stuff like pop, 'indie', and electronic to ambient, noise and experimental avant garde stuff) and also upgraded my equipment a bit more. Here's a photo of part of my 'studio set-up' in my apartment:\n\nhttp://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/lfb3/P1000518.jpg\n\n\nA lot of it could be compared to stuff like Atlas Sound and the music of Bradford Cox, Laurie Anderson, Casino Versus Japan and Panda Bear but the influences go on and on and are always changing. I'm actually in love with music and I usually have new musical obsessions ever week which undoubtedly influence the way I think about and make music. \n\n\nI've recently started doing solo live shows which include me playing structured pop versions of my songs using samplers and pre-recorded tracks with live guitar and vocal work. \n\n\nSo far I've made physical releases for one EP, one mixtape (on an actual cassette) and two digital split EPs. I'm almost done working on another mixtape project, and a full-length album.\n\n\nEverything I've made (recently) can be downloded from my blog:\n\nhttp://foxesinfiction.blogspot.com \n\n\n\nI also have a bunch of my recent songs posted on my Muxtape, MySpace, and CCLCT pages:\n\nhttp://foxesinfiction.muxtape.com\n\nhttp://myspace.com/foxesinfiction\n\nhttp://cllct.com/family/foxesinfiction\n\n\nThanks a lot guys, hope you find something you like!\n\nWarren",
"score": 20
},
{
"body": "http://fast-sub.com\n\nIt allows you to create a subdomain quickly without registration. I use it all the time so I don't have to memorize IP addresses of all the servers in our datacenter.",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "I've been working (with a group of EXCELLENT people) on an online network that facilitates the barter of goods and services between artists/designers/makers. The site is called [ourgoods](http://www.ourgoods.org), but the most interesting bit is that we are actually going to be operating a physical storefront in NYC throughout February. The space is called [TradeSchool](http://www.gopublicprojects.com/store/trade_school/) and classes will be taught in exchange for goods and services. It would be great to see some NY redditors at the storefront. It would even be possible to have some of you teach if you're interested. ",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "I think that the \"AI & Law\" crowd are seriously misguided when they think that they can simulate what judges do using logic.\n\nI believe that judges mostly decide cases on the basis of their prejudices and biases, and then use law only as a basis for rationalizing that decision.\n\nI've been pretty much shouted down when I've presented this admittedly cynical view to AI & Law conferences. <G>\n\nSo I'm working on a project to demonstrate the semantics and logical bases of U.S. Supreme court decision, completing all the enthymemes and making all the implicit assumptions and priority choices explicit, and showing it as a humungous tree (actually Forest) structure.\n\nI believe that I'll find that the Justices will contradict themselves at that subterranean level in different cases, in order to make each one come out \"right\".\n\nUnfortunately, the computer part consists mainly in the display, since the level of semantic analysis involved is far beyond any current computer algorithm, so requires intensive human work.\n\nIt's interesting to try to be entirely fair in the analysis. So I've started with a case by a Justice whose rational integrity I don't think very highly of, and a case where I agree with his conclusion. \n(Scalia; DC vs. Heller - the 2d amendment case)\n\nI'm using Perl to clean up the opinions, JSON to encode what I call the \"paralog\", and Javascript, Jquery, and Canvas for the display, so it can easily be ported to the web and run in any browser.\n\nBTW, if anyone here is interested in the project, I could sure use some help! <G>",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "I'm currently working on lanHUB, a piece of software that acts as a central hub for the most important info for the lan-party attendee, such as tournaments, who is playing what, and who has what game installed. It's used at the semi-yearly Baselan in Winnipeg, MB!\n\nWebsite: http://lanhub.ca\n\nFanpage: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Winnipeg/lanHUB/184330371033",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "http://www.twosentencestories.com\n\nTwo Sentence Stories.\n\nI used to write them as a writing exercise. Then one day I noticed the file was huge so I though I should do something with them. So I put up the site and got people to start submitting their own too.\n\nI ran a competition as well with some cash prizes and that was a lot of fun. \n\nCome along, submit a story.",
"score": 17
},
{
"body": "Adding to the hat - my [new small business.](http://aegeanimports.com)\n\nIt has occupied much of my time for the last 6 months and still tastes great. \n\nI also want to finish a self-help type book using my experience standing this one up as a case study. ",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "http://iamanopenist.com\n\nI believe there is the need for a movement towards creating a software platform and ideology that will allow, inspire, and enforce complete transparency in all aspects of government.\n\nLet me know what you think, there's a wiki so you can add your thoughts.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "[A Hotel Management System](http://thefrozenfire.com/data/PHPROS.png)\r\n\r\nIt doesn't look like a whole hell of a lot, but the work that went into that interface is tremendous. It's written in PHP-GTK, and will be completely cross-platform.\r\n\r\nAs compared to \"modern\" HMS', it's a huge step up. Right now I'm struggling heavily with credit card processing.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "SKUNKWERX\nI am currently building and selling a cabinet designed for small discreet indoor grows. As a NYC resident there is precious little space to devote to anything and Herb is expensive as phuck so I decided to BE PROACTIVE!\nThe cabinet incorporates a 150-watt HPS lighting system with adequate ventilation and a 2 gallon DWC hydroponic system, with yields between one and 3 ounces...just enough for personal use. Cost hovers around $400. There is nothing quite like seeing the process through, from seed to smoke, and NOTHING tastes as sweet as your own smoke.\nEventually, when the laws are cooperating, I would like to offer a subscription service for clients, providing rooted clones to growers to provide seamless growing & flowering.\n",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "A friend designed [furry leggings with LED's in them](http://www.MartianWearClothing.com). I got them made in China and shipped to me in the US. Now they're available on [Hot Topic.com](http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/WhatsNew/Accessories/Black-Furry-Glow-Leggings-203387.jsp), but the photo they took of them is awful.\n\n\nEdit: They're apparently sold out on Hot Topic. Let me know via PM if you'd like a pair.\n",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "I host a nationally broadcast radio show here in Canada. I'm really happy it's enjoyed the success it has...marginal as that success is. I figured I'd share it with my fellow redditors!\n\nYou can check out the show on its [website](http://www.cbc.ca/deeproots)\n\nEdit: It's = Its.",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "I am not a web developer so be gentle. In my spare time I work on a personal website. If you visit it, please be honest in the feedback but be a little gentle.\r\n\r\nhttp://www.collinstm.com\r\n\r\nEDIT: fixed link",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "... amassing recyclable metals (mostly copper, brass and aluminum). I do it slowly. Awaiting the day that they are very valuable again. I have a feeling I am in for a long wait. \n\nI am also amassing downloaded films & tv shows. I only have 180gb so far. \n\nI also like putting money in the bank (saving it up).",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Learning to cook Russian food and documenting the process:\n\nhttp://www.everydayrussian.com\n\nDocumenting, restoring, and selling my late grandfathers paintings and drawings.\n\nhttp://www.puchinskiy.com/\n\nThe website is being built right now though. \n\nAlso trying to get into restoring old single cylinder engines from lawnmowers, blowers, tillers, etc. It seems like an awesome hobby. ",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "My personal project revolves around photography and opportunity in the third world. \nI have been passionate about traveling to underdeveloped places for years, and love to do photography out there. Here are my Flickr sets http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamcohn/sets/ which comprise just a couple of the places/subjects I have shot. \n\nI have been getting a lot of requests from various world organizations to use my images for various things from books to websites to educational material. I have been trying to convince these people to \"pay\" for the images by buying gift certificates to http://www.kiva.org. I can then use the funds to support entrepreneurs in the places where I've taken the photos, and eventually if I want to take some of the money back out of Kiva and get a new lens or something I can do that too.\n\nSo that's the idea. I have been working on an update to my website, http://www.adamcohn.com, to make it more search-engine friendly and to propose that exchange model. So far, no takers, and I've stalled on the update to the site. \n\nI'd love any feedback or suggestions from you guys!\n",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "I'm working on a website to help people pick banks and savings accounts: \n\n[BankFox](http://www.bankfox.com)\n\nIf you follow the link, let me know what you think. ",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "i made a generic free dating site hoping to make a few bucks while having to care for an ill family member full time. http://foundja.com",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "I am working on keeping my business going while finishing school.\n[My Home Chef](http://makemealseasier.com)",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I write about languages (constructed ones as well), space, geopolitics and pretty much anything I can find in other languages that can't be found in English.\n\nhttp://www.pagef30.com\n\nPage F30 = [the first mention of the internet way back in the 1980s in the Washington Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103328.html), right before the classifieds section. Often the most important events are given scant coverage in the beginning, and often are only in another language at the time too.\n\n>What's unnerving is the velocity at which the future sometimes arrives. Consider the Internet. This powerful but highly disruptive technology crept out of the lab (a Pentagon think tank, actually) and all but devoured modern civilization -- with almost no advance warning. The first use of the word \"internet\" to refer to a computer network seems to have appeared in this newspaper on Sept. 26, 1988, in the Financial section, on page F30 -- about as deep into the paper as you can go without hitting the bedrock of the classified ads. ",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I've been spending my free time after work trying to learn 3D modeling. Nobody I know is even remotely interested. Here's a picture of what I'm working on now. It's Beast from X-men. I don't have any plans for him except to make goofy faces. I'm just learning.\n\nhttp://www.snakevsmongoose.info/beast.JPG",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I do particle effects professionally, but just general VFX in my spare time\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jga0IUfzWg\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsUubJfZJIc\n\nand my professional reel\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9fCotyJTZI",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Built a site with 1.1TB of free hosted porn on it. You're welcome. No ads or spam or anything, I just happen to have a shitload of bandwidth and fancied building something technically interesting (it's a spider, entirely automated). EXTREMELY NSFW, obviously.\n\n*NSFW* [SexSlurp](http://sexslurp.com/) *NSFW*\n\nEdit: also check out http://flickher.sexslurp.com/ *NSFW again* which is a flashier interface.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I do all sorts of things. But here is a desktop background I made http://i.imgur.com/pRQCt.jpg and here is a project I did with a microcontroller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5NfH8WW7w",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "[http://whatsyourmeal.com/](http://whatsyourmeal.com/) - I made a rails website that randomly picks a meal for you and links to a google search for the recipe. It's a fun little pet project.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "[Why You Should Continue to Date Me; a Series of Charts and Graphs](http://joelf.com/other-stuff/dateme/)",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Wrote [a book about online marketing](http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Benefits-Social-Marketing-Handbook/dp/1593271999/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263255937&sr=8-1). \n\nWhat can I tell you? Somebody asked me to. At least it's got a snappy title.\n\nYes, Reddit gets mentioned. Three times, according to the index. ",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I'm working on a long-standing project to see how long one can avoid doing anything useful. I will post back results soon (or not).",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "My band Cimmerian, a symphonic metal group, just released our first album/EP that we've been working on for a LONG time. We have some samples online, and if you like those, you can register for our website you can get the whole first track free!\n\nhttp://www.thebandcimmerian.com/previews/\n\n Please check us out, I'd love any feedback from redditors!",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Music: http://www.chronicdisorder.net\r\n\r\nOnline piggy bank for allowance tracking: http://www.piggybankinc.com\r\n\r\n\r\nSome software I may release soon at http://fivecatsandaboy.com:\r\n\r\nDuplicateFileFinder (get your pr0n collection into shape)\r\n\r\nNovelIn30Days (stay on track for http://www.nanowrimo.org)\r\n\r\nCommand line emailer (already open sourced).\r\n\r\nA 1/2 implemented programming language:\r\nhttp://www.rascal-lang.com/\r\n\r\nA tool to rewrite managed C# as C/C++ so that it can be built natively for win32, and (some day in the future) Mac/Linux. \r\nhttp://gonative.codeplex.com/\r\n\r\nBut most of my spare time is spent working on trading algorithms, primarily genetic algorithms in C#.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "[iknowmat.com](http://www.iknowmat.com)\n\nCartoony illustrations!\n\n[makemattdraw.com](http://www.makemattdraw.com)\n\nMake me draw for you!! ",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "I made this [New York skyline timelapse](http://www.flickr.com/photos/khkg/3408937730/) It's short but it took forever to get the exposures right.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Projects I've spent way too much time on:\n\n\n\nMy science fiction novel [The Chance of a Realtime](http://www.jmooneyham.com/chance-realtime-toc.html) (damn thing grew to be about the equivalent of four hard copy books in length; and nearly 20 years after I began writing it, it still needs more work!)\n\n\n[An illustrated speculative timeline of future technology and social change](http://www.jrmooneyham.com/future_history_timeline.html) is the MASSIVE research project I did to try to make sure I was writing 'hard' (scientifically plausible) science fiction in my novel. Literally thousands of references included, and it makes forecasts for the next 4000 years. Sheesh! Can you tell yet that I don't date much?\n\n\n\n[Signposts timeline perspectives on the past](http://www.jrmooneyham.com/signposts-timeline-perspectives-on-the-past.html): At some point I realized I couldn't do a thorough job of predicting the future without having a better grasp on the past as well. Especially in terms of evolution, and social and technological change. So I did that too. And found myself often surprised by history's twists and turns.\n\n\n[The enormous hidden costs to society of 'right-wing' political governance](http://www.jmooneyham.com/bright.html) details what I learned about the nature of politics from all my research into the past, present, and future. When I began all this research, I was a Republican: but the more I learned, the less Republican I became.\n\n\n\n[The rise and fall of star faring civilizations in our own galaxy](http://www.rise-and-fall-of-alien-civilizations-in-our-own-galaxy.com/) also seemed like another research project I needed to do, in order to offer a realistic view of the next 4000 years. After all, we're almost sure to learn more about the existence (or non-existence) of alien civilizations over that time. So I definitely needed to get ahead of that curve! Plus, it offered a neat new perspective on the likely future of our own civilization, too.\n\n\nThe research efforts above also led to me doing those below:\n\n\n\n[They own you-- and all your property too](http://www.jrmooneyham.com/they-own-you-and-all-your-property-too.html) is my own compilation of references warning about a world like George Orwell cautioned us about in his book 1984. Government and corporate spying-- and with it, increased power to control us all-- is exploding. And if we don't put the brakes on it soon, we may never be able to at all.\n\n\n\n[How to get rich in America](http://www.jmooneyham.com/your-true-chances-of-getting-rich-reference.html) is the result of me wanting to know exactly how people truly do get rich. What do they do that's different from the rest of us? The answer (for the vast majority of the newly wealthy) was not good. Not good at all.\n\n\n\nSo after I found out how people get rich, I did have one last lead I could follow for the rest of us. For plain old luck played a role in many of the wealthy's good fortunes. And so I researched that: [The nature of luck](http://www.jmooneyham.com/cluck.html). And how you can (and cannot) change your own.\n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "i am totally not ashamed to plug my [photography](http://www.flickr.com/photos/redwhiteandyou/).\n\n*one of my shots was featured on flickr's 'best of 2009' blog. i guess that's my claim to fame!\n\n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "[Last minute vacation rentals](http://www.licketytrip.com)\n\nI created LicketyTrip four years ago because my wife and I were sick of the hassle of trying to find a place to rent at the last minute. I don't make any money off of it - though I hope to some day - so you could definitely say it's a labor of love.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "In 10 days will be the 8th anniversary of my forum: http://www.tfproject.org --- Meanwhile, I have devoted much of my personal time to my blog, in hopes of maybe getting a few readers who like expanding their brains: http://www.dontfeedtheanimals.net",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I spend countless hours working on a small independent, unsigned hip-hop project: [The Cadaver Conspiracy](http://www.myspace.com/cadaverconspiracy).\n\nUnfortunately, we've been on an extended hiatus.\n\nEDIT: I also DJ, but don't have any good mixtapes to share.\n\nI've written a few screeenplays: 4 episodes for my sit-com and a short film. I don't have that anywhere on the 'net though.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I'v made some Xbox 360 arcade games:\n\n[Asteroids](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghHe4w4fIDM)\n\n[Zelda clone - Part I](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8atdrHATsnU&feature=related)\n\n[Zelda clone - PartII](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olqke9RAvl0)\n",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "In my spare time I make [pottery](http://horus.imgur.com/pottery). I'd like to do it professionally in about a year or so.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "There is a subreddit for this that I created called [Reddit Promote](http://www.reddit.com/r/promote)\n\nAlso, [here is my YouTube channel](http://www.youtube.com/user/ryanlaster). I shot and edited all of these videos myself.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Uhm, well. I've made most of the graphics for a game called teeworlds ( http://www.teeworlds.com ). I've heard it been described as Super Mario Quake, I love that.\n\nA little more recent project: http://itunes.com/apps/itapfast \nA silly iPhone game me and a buddy of mine made in a couple of days. Our next one is going to be a pirate balancing on a barrel while getting drunk on rum.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I am a high school student and programmer. I made http://sittershq.com/ to make it easier for parents to schedule babysitters (the biggest, easiest-to-solve low-hanging fruit problem I could see in daily life that didn't have a good solution yet).",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I made a website where anyone could complain about anything anonymously... http://www.complainaboutthat.com\n\nAlso, there is a lovingthat.com, but who cares.\n",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I make customised hoodies :) www.dinohoodie.com - my fantastic boyfriend made the website for me, and since the first in September last year, I've made 20 hoodies! (anyone who fancies one, mention Reddit in your order and I'll give you free UK Postage :) )",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Inevitably this will be lost amongst the other genius that populates this page but - [my proudest achievement](http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_Boom_%28hack%29). It's a (partly completed) total modification of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 that works on real hardware made by disassembling, reverse engineering, modifying and reassembling the original ROM image. It's not the only one out there by any means but I think we broke a hell of a lot of new ground with this one.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Wrote @TheBotLebowski and @ACenterForAnts, some twitter bots that will fire random Lebowski or Zoolander quotes to the author of any tweet containing the words Lebowski, Zoolander, or the phrase \"The Dude Abides\". Check out:\n\nhttp://www.twitter.com/TheBotLebowski\nhttp://www.twitter.com/ACenterForAnts \n\na more serious project is a twitter bot that reports the current Utah air quality conditions:\n\nhttp://www.twitter.com/UtahAirQuality",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "i draw random stuff and put it [here](http://www.stupidpictures.net)\n\ni haven't updated in quite a while and need to get around to changing the wordpress theme, but there it is.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "After I got laid off I started an [SEO company](http://www.forgeseo.com). I know redditers generally have a hard-on for hating SEO, but I provide the kind of service that **isn't** the, \"Hey we're going to take your money then do some witchcraft to get you 40,000,000 visits in 5 days and let's not worry about the fact that 99.9% of it is bounce traffic...\" type.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I just launched a website where users upload a digital pic, choose a size, crop their photo and then choose from either aluminum, plexiglass, MDF board or gatorboard to have their digital pic mounted to. These prints SHIP FREE (fedex ground) and come ready to hang. These are gallery ready quality!! check out http://www.bumblejax.com\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "For those applying for your grad studies: http://www.sopeditor.com\n\nA really simple, shareable to-do list app: http://tiny2do.com\n\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I digitally paint in my spare time - woohoo!\n\nI've spent months and months working on some of these\n\nhttp://arrexbandit.deviantart.com/art/Soul-83334573\nhttp://arrexbandit.deviantart.com/art/Mercy-Love-and-Murder-109097999\nhttp://arrexbandit.deviantart.com/art/Academia-73435601\n\noh holy crap this thread is huge... guess that wasn't much of a plug. Oh well - I'm really humbled by some of the art on here - good work gals & guys!",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "painting i did of bambi whilst on shrooms...\n\n[link](http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs40/i/2009/045/b/6/la_cocania_non_es_para_su_salu_by_12chamberedheart.jpg)\n\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I make and sell photography prints and something called scotch rocks on my etsy.com site.\n\nCheck it out\n\nhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/zedkhov\n\nI also recently completed a soapstone carved pipe that someone on reddit may be interested in. Took about 4 or 5 hours to make out of a solid block of soapstone then I finished it with organic bees wax to shine it up. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Photography! [http://louhuangphoto.com/](http://louhuangphoto.com/)\n\nThis will probably get buried in the comments since I'm so late to this party but if you or anyone you know needs a portrait or an event shot, let me know. I'm a starving student and could use the cash.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I'm still a high school student, but I'm an editor for a student-founded, student-run, and student-funded free teen lifestyles magazine in the bay area.\n\nhttp://www.baymagazine.org/\n\nOur archive is hosted online: http://issuu.com/baymagazine/\n\nWe just passed out first year anniversary!\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I built this automated bar machine in college: http://homepage.mac.com/mmurph/bar/Info.html\n(no that's no me in the pic)\n\nIt was a ton of fun and learned a lot. Never used a power saw before and taught myself visual basic. I even worked on features that never got put into use like user accounts, mag strip car readers, pay pal integration. In it's life we had about a dozen parties or so in my senior year dorm with about 100 people each. The bar was able to keep up nicely. Unfortunately it was large and after a year in my parents garage and my smaller post grad apartment I ended up dismantling it.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Figures that this is the month I couldn't afford to pay my web service, so my website is down... :(\r\n\r\nSo since I can't link to my own, here's my best friend's artwork. :) Most of it is pretty geeky, I'm sure you guys would like it.\r\n\r\nhttp://virgiliart.com/portfolio/",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Languages... Oh, conlangs galore. Sadly, I've never gotten very far on any one. That and stories (I've just put up one of my favorites [here](http://senseitacosshittyfiction.blogspot.com/)) and shitty art which I don't have any photos of.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "[Only a new National Park](http://www.slideshare.net/TomParker/the-lincoln-sample-082708-presentation)...anyone want to help with the interface to Google Earth?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I write arrangements of popular music for various performing groups. Marching band, Orchestra, quintets stuff like that. I wrote a lot of marching band tunes in college and got pretty damn good at it but now it's just a hobby.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Been spending a good chunk of time working on an app for Linux that allows you to work on audio stream in realtime (Windows support, eventually, if I keep interested). And then there's a bunch of boring other stuff that will be of interest to absolutely no one.\n\nAll found here: [http://ultech.org/](http://ultech.org/). The website itself is just another one of those random things I find myself working on.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "**DJ/Producer** [Zulu Company](http://soundcloud.com/zulucompanymusic)\n\nA few Indie Dance DJ sets, and a remix we did for a Little Boots competition.\nWe're still working on original productions currently, more electro/progressive house.\n\nHope you enjoy!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "[Photography](http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabbit/) like crazy. I pour so much of myself into this, I love it.\n\nI've put my best stuff [here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabbit/collections/72157622433958224/), sorted into whether I love it, Flickr users love it, or Flickr's mysterious Explore algorithm does.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I built a 5 foot 9 inch long pinhole camera out of cans, and am currently attempting to work out the correct expose time. I only have one picture so far, but its unfocused. Not sure if that's do to the length, or the vibrations from the roof it was mounted on.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "The people that owned my house before me used a bunch of un-even stones spaced apart to make a pathway from the back deck to the fence. It **REALLY** gets in the way when we bust out the slip and slide. I've been ripping them out and am going to let the grass regrow over them. Slip 'n slide is way more important.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I do a lot of photography some of which you can see [here](http://www.pixpopuli.com) as well as hacking in software, electronics, music, and optics. My current project is a CNC laser cutter/engraver.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I [sketch something every day](http://dailysketch.wordpress.com/). Even if I do nothing more than a 30-second abstract in charcoal, at least I'm still making marks.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I made this [image generator](http://fragsworth.com/image_functions/) a while ago...\n\nAlso a similar thing for [video](http://fragsworth.com/video_functions/) and [audio](http://fragsworth.com/audio_functions/)\n\nIt works by typing in a math expression. Try \"sin(x+y)\", for instance. The video and audio use the variable 't' though.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I own half of a small clothing company and do all the design work; it keeps me sane while I finish my engineering degree, I guess. Just started up (officially, designs were done over a year) last year with a small investment from my partner and I. We'll be releasing polos, girl's v-necks, and dress shirts hopefully this year.\n\nhttp://atypicalclothing.com/\n\nFront page graphic changes tonight, yeehaw!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm one of the songwriters in a band that's signing to a (VERY small) label this week to record an album this summer.\n\n[SHAMELESS PLUG (sorry for the demo quality :-( )](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocketbot/11042586861?ref=ts)\n\nAnd, for the second time on reddit, my lazy choice in usernames makes me look like a douchebag.\n\nEDIT: For anyone who actually wants to download the songs the \"Buy Now\" next to each song on the player links to a free download.\n\nEDIT 2: [Here's a video of Richard Dunn from Tim and Eric dancing onstage at our concert](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kl9DHIbzRk)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm currently doing a big overhaul of the [Catch21.co.uk](http://www.catch21.co.uk) website which is a charity that aims to get young people involved with and interested in the political process.\n\nI also currently have a load of mockups for my new [blog](http://www.devolute.net) and I am considering making the resultant Wordpress templates (themes) publicly available once I am done.\n\nFireworks has been open all week.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I made a 2D platformer in Java, at http://www.funpowered.com/superskull/\nI made the rest of the website too, but most of that stuff dates from my mid teens so frankly its pretty bad. Looking back on past projects always makes me cringe slightly.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I wrote [The top 100 FAQs for Wonderdads with kids ages 6 - 10](http://www.wonderdads.com/store.asp)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "[PartNumber.com](http://partnumber.com/applet.html), a free Java applet that assigns part numbers to electronic components. Useful to engineers and assembly houses.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "[Pool Game](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwkxVvbHOE0) \nI made that my senior year of high school. I won a few awards in my school district's annual award ceremony. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Over summer I started [Last Night Was Weird](http://lastnightwasweird.com) with a buddy of mine. Just a site to post up short funny drinking stories about when shit inevitably gets weird. We sold it for a little chunk of change this past semester. Fun project!\n\nedit: link",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm a retired advertising guy turned cabinetmaker. [I made 4 of these blackboards](http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegaffneys/2318985620/) pro bono for my son's school. Some other stuff I've made is in [this Flickr set.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegaffneys/sets/72157607672357062/)\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I'm an avid FarmVille player, a fanatic if you will... I started a site in late October for fans that is doing pretty well lately. I have around 100,000 unique visitors a month right now. Hope any FarmVille players will find it useful, would love some more exposure. =D\n\nhttp://farmvillefanatic.com",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "i made a book about a unicorn [being a jerk](http://cwmoss.blogspot.com/search/label/UNICORNS).\n\ndownload the whole book as a pdf [here](http://www.greyrainbow.com/UNICORN.pdf)",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I cook.\n\nTonight, I made pizza. I mixed and kneaded the dough. I roasted fresh tomatoes for the sauce. I sauteed ground lamb with a couple of smashed garlic cloves, dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano, freshly ground coriander and cumin seed, whole fennel seed, salt and pepper. I deglazed the pan with vermouth, and sauteed some crimini mushrooms. I wilted some spinach over high heat with a bit of salt, then squeezed the liquid out of the leaves by rolling them in a towel. I precooked my crust on a stone, then built the pie with freshly sliced bocconcini of mozzarella and goat cheese from Capriole farms. I finished it with a grating of Prairie Breeze (instead of the typical Parmigiano Reggiano.)\n\nI cook like this every day.\n\nEDIT: How the fuck is this being downvoted? This is my personal project; this is where my energy (and income) goes. Anyone can follow a recipe; it has taken years and years of trial, error, research, and experience to be able to put things together creatively and expect a solid result.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I recently released an album I've been working on for over a year: http://scottwaterman.wordpress.com/",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I make some beats sometimes. Like [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpkjSdeX-68) (Boards of Canada inspired beat) or [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBiOgkWK7aE) (A Milli Remix).",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "[medaform.com](http://medaform.com)\n\nOriginally posted [here](http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/agacv/reddit_i_wrote_a_website_that_has_a_unique_method/).\n\nI'm having a tough time building up a community. Try it out and be sure to vote! Since the site is so small every vote counts and it will help me evaluate my recommendation algorithm.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I would like to present to you [The Zombie Game Experiment](http://www.zombieexperiment.com). Where YOU can help to design a zombie game which helps charity.\r\n\r\nThis is an experiment in Crowd-sourced Game Development. The public helps to fund the development, which also counts as a \"pre-order\" for the game, as well as designing this zombie game.\r\n\r\nThe community member donated $10.00, gets the game at the end of development and 25% of the game revenue and 25% of all donation goes to charity!\r\n\r\nWe have already sent our first check to a [charty](http://www.zombieexperiment.com/zombie/forums/gallery/images/1/1_foxcheck.jpg).\r\n\r\nWe've also been featured on sites like [Gamasutra](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26371/Xaitment_Supports_Parkinsons_ResearchFunding_Zombie_Game_Experiment.php). As you can see we have major middleware providers supporting us as well.\r\n\r\nWe have a good sized following and we are always looking for more!\r\n\r\nRight now we are about to release our public wiki and we have more exciting developments on the way.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I compose in my free time \n\nhttp://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gth669h/music/Beyond%20The%20Vision.mp3\n\nhttp://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gth669h/music/Duel%20of%20the%20Heroes.mp3 ( remix of music from MegaMan X 5 and Golden Sun)\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I design and build my own custom computer cases. I've made 3 to date:\n\n* First, completed in 2004. [Currently my main desktop](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/legoman666/WoodCaseRedux/IMG_1644.jpg). Homemade custom wood case. Used for gaming/whatever. More info [here](http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=173608).\n\n* Second, completed in 2008. [Currently being used as an old school gaming PC](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/legoman666/IMG_0401_small.jpg). Homemade custom aluminum case. Dual P3s /w Voodoo 5. More info [here](http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=145057).\n\n* Third and most recent, completed early last year. [Temporarily out of commission mineral oil cooled PC](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/legoman666/mineral%20pc%20log/log_final_16_small.jpg) Homemade custom aluminum case with acrylic tank. Currently waiting to be repaired. More info [here](http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=163649).",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I just started a blog about my plans to pay off my mortgage as fast as I can \r\n\r\nhttp://www.payingoffmyhouse.com\r\n\r\nIt isn't anything spectacular but I mainly have it there to keep me focused on my goal. I am not sure if I want to put ads on the site but for now I am leaning towards no.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "In addition to my full time job, I run 2 t-shirt websites:\n[BurnTees.com](http://www.BurnTees.com)\nand [Lil' Squirt Tees](http://www.LilSquirtTees.com)\n\nWe created BurnTees in 2005 and Lil' Squirt Tees is much newer, only started in 2008. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I directed a commercial for Jenga using real Shaolin Monks:\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGTfmoGX_A",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I make microphone stands out of the driftwood tree stumps that wash up on my neighborhood beach after the spring floods. each one is unique and I must wait for nature to provide the limited quantity of one or two per year.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Trying to submit a bug, very confused. | I'm on a Dell Mini 9 running 9.10. Whenever I unplug it from AC with the lid closed, and then open the lid, Ubuntu wakes up, then immediately suspends again. I have to close the lid and open it again to get it to wake up properly.
I'm trying to submit a bug to launchpad, but I have no idea what package to relate it to, or what information to attach.
Help? | 12 | [
{
"body": "https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/acpi\n\nhttps://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/acpi-support\n\nThe second link seems to have a bug similar to yours.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I've submitted many bugs to launchpad and oftentimes it is very hard to figure out what package to submit the bug to. I hope this becomes easier in the future.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Why are dollar coins so unpopular in the U.S.? | I spent the first half of 2009 in Spain, and did most of my transactions there in cash. The EU has 1€ and 2€ coins, which were hard to get used to at first, but I came to prefer them.
The following countries / economic areas don't have paper bills for anything lower than 5 major currency units:
* Australia
* United Kingdom (except Scotland)
* Canada
* The Euro
* New Zealand
In 2000, the Government Accountability Office reported that replacing dollar banknotes with dollar coins would save $500 million a year. This doesn't include the economic benefits to industries which must install expensive bill readers into automatic machines, or the environmental benefits of coins which last many times longer before needing replacement.
Interest groups are both pushing [for](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_Coalition) and [against](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Save_the_Greenback) eliminating the paper dollar.
It's clear that we'd have to get rid of dollar bills in order for the existing coins to become popular, but I can't figure out for the life of me why we haven't. Are we just that resistant to change like we are in the switch to the metric system? | 8 | [
{
"body": "Given the choice to carry around lightweight, easily foldable dollar bills.... or heavy, clunky dollar coins... .I'll go bills. ",
"score": 22
},
{
"body": "i live in canada and hate our 1 dollar coin and our 2 dollar 'toonie'.. coins are heavy.. if i were to carry 20 dollars in coins it would be the most uncomfortable thing ever.. i badly miss the 2 dollar bill we used to have.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "How do people carry so many coins? Do they have coin purses? Because if I carried a coin purse I'd hook my underwear on a door knob and drop. That shit is just asking for a wedgie.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "We've had dollar coins off and one since 1794, but I think the Eisenhower dollar must have killed off the dollar coin completely. The Eisenhower was the first dollar coin to be made of copper nickel clad in comparison to the Peace and Morgan dollars which preceded it which were 90% silver. The Ike dollar was by far the largest coin in U.S. circulation at the time (I can't think of any U.S. regular issues that are bigger), and was unwieldy in the pocket. The inflation of the early seventies reduced the value of this hunk of metal even more. By the time you had $10 in Ikes in your pocket, your pants were sagging.\n\nThe Susan B. Anthony dollar was introduced in 1978 after the brief hiatus following the Ike dollar. The coin was almost the same size as a quarter which jammed vending machines or otherwise cost its owner the 75 cents difference by getting passed in change too easily and not being easy to distinguish by feel.\n\nThe Sacajawea, everyone just collected those and didn't even treat them as real money, much the same as they do with $2 bills today.\n\nSad to say, I think what it mostly boils down to is that a dollar just doesn't have enough spending power to justify carrying them in the pocket. Smaller change makes a bit of sense, if you use cash, it's handy to have a bit to round up even to get larger coins or a bill back, but if your spending in the dollars, usually you'll go for the card, or be spending more than $5 anyway.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I happen to come from NZ. We indeed have no banknotes lower than $5 and instead have $1 and $2 coins.\nFrankly I find the coins *and* the $5 banknotes annoying. I use $20 notes and maybe $10 dollar notes. I keep a small collection of coins in my car for parking machines (although these days I mostly pay for parking with a credit card), and the rest of my change accumulates in my bedroom drawers until I have enough to take to the bank.\n",
"score": 3
}
]
|
What do women say when they get cockblocked? | Do you girls have your own special term for it or is it universally accepted that someone who gets inbetween you and sex is a "Cockblocker?" | 55 | [
{
"body": "Related story. I was in my car with my 15 year old daughter. Someone on the radio said the phrase \"Bros before Hos\". She had just gone through a breakup with her boyfriend and most of her girl friends were siding with her. I said, hey is there a woman version of that? Without hesitation she said \"Chicks before dicks\". I started laughing and then she did too. It was odd for a second (she never has said \"dicks\" around me before) and then turned into a really memorable funny moment.",
"score": 27
},
{
"body": "Snatch-Snagged \nClit-Clogged \nPussy-Plugged \n \n(This was the most fun I have had on http://thesaurus.com in a while)",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "I usually refer to it as being \"grateful\". I'm usually so wasted that the dude I'm eying up is pretty... gross. ",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Question does not have an answer: The situation never happens to women because men will do it with anyone, hence no need for such a word.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Iphone to Android phone cheat-sheet or user guide? | When I first dabbled in Linux and made the switch from windows, there were many sites with lists of popular windows programs and an alternative you could use while in linux.
Is there a similar list for iphone users making the switch to android?
I'm thinking of switching but I can't find any easy to read list. All I've found is popular indie games and location based apps on android. | 9 | [
{
"body": "Honestly you don't need one.\n\nIt took me about 30 minutes to get comfortable with the android OS and interface. Granted, I'm using a N1 so it could just be that 2.1 on it is much better than the 2.0 on the droid I've messed around with briefly.\n\nI had to \"untrain\" myself slightly, but it was more of \"re-training\" myself to hit keys *slighly* above center for the 4 home keys and on screen keyboard to avoid most accidental home screen touches and missed letters. Android gives you a list of word options as you type that you can select without finishing a word (as opposed to one auto complete option on the iphone).\n\nIt is *very* intuitive. It either read my mind, or everything just makes sense to me. I have not read a single setup or instruction guide and there hasn't been anything I've not been able to figure out in a matter of seconds.\n\nThere is definately a smaller selection of apps to chose from, but i've found pretty much everything I've looked for short of a lossless audio player that will play some of my old AIFF files. But there are other solutions to that as well.\n\nIf you are switching from an iphone to a N1 I can pretty much guarantee it's a non issue.\n\nBiggest difference is that this is less of a phone, and more of pocket computer. You can easily view and manage applications, running processes, etc -- and have control over them. Certain apps require you to actually menu>quit, or they just run in the background on standby.\n\nI can't really give any other tips for other devices and apparently the tips and tricks you're looking for will vary from device to device due to each manufacturer's proprietary modifications or additions.\n\nIf you're not tied to a contract and have decent T-Mobile coverage, I can say firsthand now is a great time to make the transition, especially because of the similarities between the devices (and to those like myself who love the 1st gen iphone design and despise the 3G family design). If T-Mobile isn't an option and Verizon is a better choice in your eyes, it should be on their network soon, however it's likely to have have a physical keyboard to be geared more towards business markets.\n\nTL;DR: The adjustment between devices should be a non issue for the tech friendly.",
"score": 7
}
]
|
When you are high and your foot/leg falls asleep to the point where it is tingling like mad and walking on it feels weird and unnatural....Don't you love it? | And then you smash it hard to try and wake it up and it tingles in an orgasm of pins and needles...the feeling is intense and awesome. Anyone share my love of sleeping body parts? | 9 | [
{
"body": "I hate it, happens all the time even when I am not high because I am flexible and sit strange ways. ",
"score": 5
}
]
|
Can anyone recommend a laptop/netbook I should get (details inside)? | A few family members offered to purchase a laptop for college and so I'm looking around trying to find one for ~500$. Since I already have an excellent desktop computer (that I plan on taking with me to college, hopefully) I just need something to be mobile and lightweight. Someone recommended this to me:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220553
Which looks great, but I was wondering if there was something for a bit more money that improved the specs a little. Any suggestions?
Edit: also, disregard any OS as I'll be wiping it and using Linux anyways. Thanks. | 4 | [
{
"body": "I just bought one of these for myself today. If you're OK spending a bit more money (came to $700 with tax+shipping) then this is a tremendous laptop:\n\n\n**ASUS UL30A-X5**\n\n* 13.3in screen\n\n* <1 inch thick\n\n* 3.7lbs\n\n* Intel Core 2 Duo (1.3Ghz)\n\n* 4GB RAM\n\n* 500GB HDD\n\n* \\*advertised\\* 12-hour battery life\n\nhttp://www.amazon.com/UL30A-X5-Light-13-3-Inch-Black-Laptop/dp/B002P3KMVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263249915&sr=8-1",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I have the same thing in blue, upgraded the ram to 2GB and it runs great. (I also have a powerful desktop at home so i have little need for a very powerful mobile computer). I find this great on the go and I got it on sale for $230 CAD, the keyboard is easy to use compared to other netbooks and its easy to carry everywhere and I plan on putting a SSD into it later on and using the 160gb externally.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Getting started: A newbie's guide to Dwarf Fortress and it's community. | Welcome to the fast and exciting world of Dwarf Fortress!
Dwarf Fortress is a sim/city-builder/rts with a bit of roguelike. It is created by the [Adams brothers](http://imgur.com/fy9kq.jpg). Tarn(Right) is the developer and does all of the coding himself. Zach(Left) is a writer and does a lot of conceptual work within the DF universe. They started making games from a young age and Dwarf Fortress has become their most popular.
Right now, the official release is numbered 0.31.03. This was released in April 2010. This is an extremely unpolished version and has significant changes from the last release.
To get started, there are many guides that hold your hand and show you the ropes. They are not necessary, but they might help. *Note that all of these are made for 40d and will have some out-of-date instructions. they are still useful and there should be new ones for DF2010 soon*. There is a [step-by-step guide](http://afteractionreporter.com/2009/02/09/the-complete-and-utter-newby-tutorial-for-dwarf-fortress-part-1-wtf/), a series of [video tutorials](http://www.youtube.com/user/captnduck#p/a/5A3D7682BDD48FC2/0/koZUS2h-Yzc) by captnduck (although some people have issues with captnduck, see jonask's comment), and many more guides can be found in the [Dwarf Fortress wiki](http://df.magmawiki.com/index.php/Main_Page).
But one of the greatest ways to have Fun with this game is to jump right in! That's because Dwarf Fortress has a motto, "Losing is Fun!". Your first few forts may end in disaster, but it is disaster that makes this game exciting and fun.
The biggest tip I can give you is to [**read the Wiki**](http://df.magmawiki.com/index.php/Main_Page). Say that you start mining a new rock, you want to know if it is good for anything. Just look it up on the wiki and it will tell you all you need to know. Right now the wiki is a little incomplete because of the new version, so don;t be afraid to dig around in some of the older articles for better information.
The Dwarf Fortress community is widely spread and has many great people. While it is possible to play this game without interacting with its community, there are many people that insist that the actual game is half the experience of Dwarf Fortress. While what we have here at /r/DF is great company and we have some good stories, there are many other places to experience this. [The Official Forums](http://www.bay12games.com/forum/), [the wiki](http://df.magmawiki.com/index.php/Main_Page), [the DFMA](http://mkv25.net/dfma/), [the DFFD](http://dffd.wimbli.com/), and many more places! In fact, if you went to a forum you frequent and made a thread asking if anybody else plays this game, I guarantee that you will have people excited to share their stories.
One of the biggest complaints that this game receives is that the graphics are lacking. In case you haven't seen a screenshot yet, the game is ASCII art. While many people will get used to this easily, just as many may find it difficult. If you are having trouble telling your commas from your 'C's then there are some options to make the game more visually appealing. The most popular way is to use [Mike Mayday's graphics pack](http://mayday.w.staszic.waw.pl/df.php) which replaces the normal tiles with full color sprites and graphics. The Mayday pack is an entire prepackaged version of DF (Based on 0.31.03), just unzip and play.
If there are any questions, please ask them either here, or start a new topic in the sub-reddit! All of us would be happy to help! | 76 | [
{
"body": "My two cents: if you're wondering whether a game about a bunch of ASCII dwarves can generate amusing, moving, incredibly epic or downright retarded stories, you can begin with the now legendary [saga of Boatmurdered](http://lparchive.org/LetsPlay/Boatmurdered/intro.html), which is pretty much all of these (it was written a fairly long time ago, when DF was 2D only, i.e. there was no depth; visually, the game is still 2D, of course).\r\n\r\nStories about your gameplay experience and that one time your gemcutter suddenly went mad, dropped all his clothes, slaughtered his wife and consumed with regret jumped into magma are always welcome here!",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "IMHO the DFwiki is much more helpful than the tutorials, I feel they become too instructive, and captnduck's especially indoctrinate these uninspired yet efficient box-like layouts that I see too many people applying. \r\n\r\nAnd like you mentioned, part of the experience is failing and having Fun :) \r\nSo maybe I would stress *trying first*, for yourself. Then if you absolutely can't figure it out go to the wiki, then the tutorials.\r\n\r\nAlso, of course, I have to plug the real-time visualizers to new players :) [Like Stonesense](http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=43260)",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Definitely great game. Trying different money making strategies is amusing. One of my favorites is \"McDonalds Drive-Thru\" where you sell ridiculously expensive food prepared by your elite cooks.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I've officially had this game for one day - maybe three hours of face time. Just wanted to throw in a bit of praise for the DF community. This is the main reason I started thinking about downloading the game. Yes. I started thinking about it, then put some actual thought into it, read a few stories about it, and then very seriously considered downloading it for a week or two before actually giving it a shot. Thus far, I haven't accomplished anything more than digging into a hill and breaking down my wagon, but I won't give up. Oh no.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
WATMM: What are your favorite mixing techniques, secrets, or hints? | As a person who is relatively new to combining a lot or raw tracks into one gracefull and perfect track, I'm curious what people who have experience in this area have to share!
What techniques should people use more (or less) in mixing, and where?
EDIT: For those who wanted a little more detail, the music that I will be mixing is ska, with a four part horn section, guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. | 33 | [
{
"body": "Subs (edit: better term would be buses). Tons and tons of subs (buses). Keeps your tracks organized *and* allows you to make quick, far-reaching changes.\n\nAlways double your vocals. You don't always have to use the doubles, but at least you know they're there in case you need / want them.\n\nCutting EQ is always the best option...but don't believe the hype. There are instances where boosting EQ is the only way to get a particular sound. Know the rules, but don't necessarily follow them. NEVER, EVER limit what you do based on the opinions and biases of everyone else. Try EVERYTHING.\n\nStart quiet. Stay quiet. Once you're done, crank it up, take notes, then go back to being quiet for a while. You'll make better decisions.\n\nMix the vocals louder. Just do it without thinking. Make them so loud that you're uncomfortable with it...then make them a little louder.\n\nListen on every system you can get your hands on. Your car, your bathroom shower radio, your old Walkman, your answering machine, your phone's speaker, your home theater, the local club, etc. Listen quiet and listen loud.\n\nTake notes. At the end of listening through a 3-minute song, you'll have forgotten everything from the first 2 minutes. Write down every thought, even if you think you're just being stupid.\n\nBetter equipment will not equal a more creative you. If you've got what you need, avoid spending loads of money unless you've got loads of money to spend. Work with what you have and you'll learn more.\n\nForget everything every once in a while. Chances are the industry will pass you by while you were perfecting that mastering patch you've used on the last 4 singles. Clear your head, delete your patches, and start over.\n\nPan. Start wider than you think you should, then come in slowly until you \"feel\" it. Look through the whole song and try to make sure no two instruments are playing in the same space at the same time. If they absolutely *must*, see what you can do with your EQ to separate them.\n\nOverhead cymbals are barely present in modern music.\n\nDon't listen to individual instrumentalists, but hear what they're saying. They might be hearing something you need to know about, but they're *always* going to think they're too quiet (except for singers, who will think they're too loud...turn them up more).\n\nCut the masturbation. If a song has long instrumental breaks with no distinct, melodic lead...cut them. Of course, this mostly applies to pop-oriented genres.\n\nHave as much fun as you possibly can and remember to sleep.\n\n*Edit: Seems a few people are taking this as a literal, step-by-step process the OP needs to follow...so for the OP's sake, don't do that. I assume you know most of the basics in mixing (levels, EQ, compression, reverb, etc). All of the above items are extra little tid-bits that flew off the top of my head in no particular order - nothing more. Think about them, store them away and do with them what you will.*",
"score": 33
},
{
"body": "[This](http://www.hometracked.com/2008/03/04/using-delays-for-3d-sound-placement/) is a great tutorial on creating a soundstage using delay and reverb pre-delay in your mixes.\n\nFrom personal experience I can say:\n\n- When adding EQ, compression or other effects, match the bypassed volume, otherwise you'll always prefer the louder of the two -- usually the one with effects.\n\n- Only solo tracks to listen for flaws or to edit. Adjust all your effects with a full mix -- what sounds great soloed often either gets lost or steps on other tracks in the mix. What sounds ugly often gets masked or helps a track pop out in the mix.\n\n- Cutting rhythm guitars around 800hz can open up the track for vocals or lead guitars without having to make a compromise in volume balance.\n\n- Highpassing the detector input on your compressor (most VST compressors will allow for this) above the kick drum can allow you to smash your overheads and room mics without \"pumping\" (you'll know what I mean when you hear it). Same goes a compressor on the bass guitar, drop tuned electrics and the master buss.\n\n- Group your tracks. If an instrument has more than one mic on it, or if it has any sends, group them all together.\n\n- Sub bass is not your friend. Yes, that 50hz sinewave sample you're triggering with the kick drum sounds fucking badass, but it's also eating up your mix headroom. Don't make the mix thin, but be very frugal with any boosts or effects under 100hz. Highpass all your guitars, drum overheads and close mics (except the kick and larger floor toms), trumpets, vocals -- pretty much anything with a fundamental of over 80hz. For comparison, the low E on a guitar is 82.4hz.\n\n- Midrange *is* your friend. Sure, it sounds great when you cut all the 400hz out of a kick, or when you gut your drop-tuned guitars at 800hz, but you're only ensuring they'll never be heard in the mix. If you're cutting any more than 6dB (really, 3dB should suffice), there's a problem.\n\n- Cut narrow, boost wide. High/Low pass, boost with high/low shelves. Pretty self explanatory. You want a wider Q or a shelving setting for boosts, narrow Q or -pass filter for cuts. This isn't an absolute rule, but it serves me well.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Well, as they say, use your ears. But practically speaking, I've found that good mixes are easiest to get from good arrangements. If your arrangement sucks, chances are your mix will too. Or so my experience tells me.\n\nAlso, it depends on what you're mixing. This question seems a little open-ended to me, so maybe ask for feedback for a particular mix?",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Most desired app for Android? | I've been dabbling in Android app development lately, and I wanna do some things to help make the app ecosystem a bit more friendly.
Anybody here have ideas for an app that they'd really love to have on their phones, but doesn't exist yet?
tl;dr I fish for ideas in a somewhat two-faced manner, but I really do love you all. | 29 | [
{
"body": "Here's a really easy one: an app that halts whatever song is currently playing with the sound of a record scratch. So if you're outputting to speakers at (say) a party, you can say something horribly awkward right before you run it for COMEDY GOLD.",
"score": 16
},
{
"body": "I'm not sure if this exists (please share if you know), but a widget that searches and displays the lyrics of the currently playing song (in lyricsplugin.com or something similar) would be really nice to have.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "very simple, world clock widgets that come in several sizes (especially 1x1) and the time has to be based on location not by GMT offset.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I would love to see a truly great music application for Android. There are loads of music players, but none of them are fast or fully-featured. I'd love to see a music application that puts the iPhone to shame and makes using the app as great as listening to the music.\n\nAn application that would be fantastic for Tivo users is a \"Record This\" application. It could hold a TV guide for browsing, but other than that if you ever come across a show that you'd like to watch or you've forgotten to record something that'll be on soon you can type in the name of it (for example, Glee), to then be given a set of listings that match your search. From there, one click will set your Tivo to record. From what I hear you can set Tivo's to record stuff remotely so such a tool could be unbelievably useful.\n\nIt would be great if you could take one of the major video lecture outlets (Academic Earth or MIT OCW) and provide an application for Android users to keep up with video lectures.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Dropbox Client, Grooveshark and the Hero updating to Android 2 please :)\n\nIf you want to make an app, see if you can sort the text manipulation out with the trackball, something like click to start selection and click to end (autocopy to clipboard) and increased speed in text selection would be awesome.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
What games have you played but not finished? Why? | Just wondered if anyone is like me and have a list of unfinished games that I promise myself ill go back and complete sometime.
Obviously I'm not talking about games that are just crappy, I mean games that you enjoyed whilst playing just for some reason you didnt get round to finishing.
My list is:
1) BioShock - Enjoyed it right up until the "Would you kindly bit" then realised the game wasnt going to be any different to the end so lost interest.
2) STALKER- Shadow of Chernobyl - keep picking this one up playing a bit and putting it down. I do like the game but it doesn't keep my attention.
3) Half-Life 2 - Epsiode One. YEAH I KNOW .... one day i'll find the time! | 22 | [
{
"body": "Latest for me is Borderlands - Found it too repetitive without anything to really keep me interested. ",
"score": 38
},
{
"body": "Far Cry 2-Repetitive tasks just weren't that interesting (and the whole malaria thing just drove me nuts)\n\nBrutal Legend-Was expecting a straight forward hack n slash and got some steaming pile of shit rts instead\n\nWarcraft III-Just never got around to finishing it",
"score": 24
},
{
"body": "Dragon Age.\n\nIt just didn't engross me. Maybe it was the cinematic dialog, maybe it was the inventory or party selection stuff, but i enjoyed it about as much as doing taxes, which is funny, because the games that I like (MOO2 especially) have often been compared to doing taxes.",
"score": 23
},
{
"body": "I've got so many I found this [nifty website, Backloggery,](http://backloggery.com/main.php?user=satertek) that keeps track of them all.\n\n\nIt tells me 61% of the games I own are unbeaten, so website usually saves me money. The guilt of unbeaten games couldn't compete with the Steam holiday sale though...as I now go to adding the deluge of games I bought to my unbeaten list.\n\n",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "I am certain the list of games I have abandoned is at least ten times the length of games I have completed.\n\nMost recently, I have given up on:\n\nDragon Age: I was really enthused when I first started. I loved the tactics and the engine. Then I had to slog through endless sequences of repetitive battles with very very little to do outside of that realm. Maybe that wouldn't have been a problem if there was something to do besides watching ability meters recharge, or if the die rolling mmo-esque nature of the fights had been a little less obvious, but I felt like most of the challenge came from preventing moronic companions from crossing arbitrary aggro circle and luck on crit rolls. I suppose I should have known that's what I was getting, but I can't help but feel like that style of combat has slipped into the realm of the tedious.\n\nThe \"play the character you want\" is a little misleading. The Origin stories were cool, but for the amount of time I played after the unique intros were complete, I didn't see a single instance where it felt like my choice of character had made all that much of a difference. As for the main quest, I felt like I was being led by the hand the whole time. The overall difficulty of the game made me feel too much pressure to min/max my character and in the end, I was just bored by it\n\nTorchlight: Well done for what it is, but after a few ass-numbing hours bashing it started to leave a bad taste in my mouth. \n\nI think I would have liked to see Dragon Age quality story with Torchlight style combat. Also, fishing to transform my pet into something more than a backpack with legs is a lame concept. Sit there for ten seconds watching two circles converge then CLICK for your shot at a random fish. Or maybe nothing!!!! Fuuuuck you. \n\nThe more I type and think about games I give up on the more afraid I am that I'm just getting tired of games in general. Seems like for every original and entertaining idea I encounter I must sift through exponentially larger, pricier heaps of sparklier shit. I suppose this is a function of the demand for better graphics and more art, and that makes me sad. For example, I would much rather pay $50 for a rudimentary sprite engine and a gui on top of Dwarf Fortress (I'm too dumb for the clunky interface in its current state) than the next 10 versions of SimElf or GunTotingSpaceMan. \n\nHere's another tip for you developers out there. I don't care if your engine is so amazing that I can see hairs growing out of a mole at five paces when every third guy has the same mole. Doubly so when I am still playing the same old \"me vs. up to five enemies at a time, behind crates\" shit I was doing ten years ago. I have an imagination. Let me worry about the shadows and you worry about making this feel like something new.\n\ntl;dr. Dragon Age and Torchlight were boring and derivative. That seems to be the way things are going these days.\n\nEDIT: tl; dr",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "GTA IV - Really enjoyed the series up until 4. Didn't find the story very engrossing. Add to that the phone calls to go bowling and all the other repetitive crap your friends call you for I had to quit. ",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Zelda: Twilight Princess is the one nagging me right now. I have a few others but they are currently in the process of being beaten slowly. I haven't touched Zelda in a few years. I will make my way back to it eventually.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Shadow of the Colossus. I don't want to finish it because then it will be done and then I will be sad.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Assassin's Creed. I was so pumped for this game, but the quests were way too repetitive and I only enjoyed assassinating the actual target, which was about five minutes of two hours of gameplay. After giving up with the quests I repeatedly stabbed beggars for a few days until I got tired of it and stopped playing. Now it just sits there.\n\nAlso Bioshock. I enjoy and FPS with multitudes of enemies that runs at a fast pace, something Bioshock couldn't provide. It wasn't a bad game, I just wasn't having much fun.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Pretty much every game I've every played in my entire life...\n\nI think the only games I have finished are Golden Eye, Diablo II, CoD4: MW, and...that really might be it...and I've owned *a lot* of games, but just don't finish them. I also am more of a fan of online sports games / single player strategy games ie. Civilization, Alpha Centauri, Sim City...",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Latest one for me is Brutal Legend. I knew it had RTS bits in it, but there wasn't enough leadup to them. I did alright at them until the fight over that bridge. Felt like someone threw a brick at my face.\n\nI later found it was because I wasn't upgrading my units - _but the game never told me I could_. Either that, or I missed the hint quip. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "FFVIII - just got too boring for me. 7, 9, 10, 12, I was able to finish even if the plot got slow, but something about 8 just made me stop playing and never look back. Maybe it was all the magic draws my OCD-ness told me I had to have 99 of, or the lack of ability to grind stats without using what one summon's eat ability on specific impossible to find monsters.\n\nNormally when I play FF games i grind for a bit while my mind is elsewhere and then enjoy the plot after the game's bad guys are below my level. FFVIII made it a little hard to grind, and a plot that didn't keep my attention.\n\np.s. FFXII's gambit ability made the entire game a non issue as far as battles concerned; My brother and I's motto at boss time was to put the control down and see if we would win (only one boss took actual human intelligence to beat).",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "1) Dragon Age: Origins - I thought I'd get Baldur's Gate kinda gameplay, nope, I got bored 20 hours into it. It felt incoherent, I wanted more freedom, I didn't like the gameworld.\n\n2) Bioshock - I thought I'd get System Shock 2 kinda gameplay, nope, I got bored 10 hours into it. It didn't feel original enough, it wasn't believable like System Shock 2 was, I hated the simplicity of everything.\n\n3) Hellgate: London - I thought I'd get Diablo 2 kinda gameplay, nope, I got bored 20 hours into it. It started repeating itself, I didn't find the story interesting enough to care about continuing, it felt like grinding.\n\n4) Unreal Tournament 3 - I thought I'd get UT99 kinda gameplay, nope, I got bored 5 hours into it. It felt gimmicky, it felt cluttered and riddled with only eyecandy, it had no fragging soul.\n\n5) DeusEx - I thought I'd get UT99 & System Shock 2 kinda gameplay, nope, I got bored 2 hours into it. I've started it again like 5 times, and I cannot get past the initial feeling that this game just isn't the awesome experience that it is for others. There's nothing there for me.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I never finished Half-Life 2, but I started playing again and fully intend to take my time and finish it.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "HL2. I can't get past the abandoned town with the saw blades and the zombies.\n\n*Downvoting? Seriously?*",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "In order of most recently abandoned:\n\nDragon Age: Origin (360) - does this game get any good ever? The raving about it made me excited when I got this for Christmas, my brother has put 80+ hours into it on PC. I clocked 40 hours tonight, and I'm just not into it (like I expect I should be). I kept giving it a chance as it was a gift and so on, but seriously, this is a lauded game?\n\nTorchlight (PC), didn't play the demo, never played Diablo, went on recommendations on Reddit, played 15 mins, can't see the point, haven't loaded since. Do you just keep ... clicking ... on the baddies? And that's it?\n\nGTA4 (360) - Played 50% through, but save game refuses to load, previous save is the 'kill the gay chap in the cafe' mission. Realised not worth playing back to where I was.\n\nHL2, Ep2 (PC) - loved it, violent motion sickness (on all Source engine games if played over 3 hours) stopped this one at the point of a narrow bridge and a charging ant lion queen. Will go back when Ep3 is out.\n\nOblivion (360) - not enough direction for me, so I wasn't entirely sure what to do or how to do it, started it 3 times with different character, but never played more than 2 hours.\n\nSTALKER- Clear Skies - buggy, crashed on opening marshes level, gave up, was fun when working.\n\nSTALKER- Shadow of Chernobyl - 10% in, like it, somehow managed to get to a point where I was surrounded and always died, but (auto) save was for just before the enemies surrounded me, couldn't escape.\n\nMany others on DS, Wii, PC and some on 360.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Lots of games. I tend not to finish some because of boredom, some because of tedium, and a select few because of difficulty. It often happens that I get distracted by another game, then by the time I come back to the game I left I've forgotten where I was in the game, what I was doing, or I've forgotten the controls.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Doom 3: I really pushed to beat this game when I first bought it and I got about halfway through. Unfortunately, I reinstalled Windows without backing up the save file, so I had to get a fresh start. Have not yet finished.\n\nEven when I was playing the game regularly though, I could only play for at max an hour before needing a break. Some sessions would only be a few minutes. The game is really scary. It gets criticised for being mostly \"monster closets,\" but the reason the monster closets work so well is because the whole game creates an atmosphere of tension. There's never any point in the whole game where you feel even slightly safe or comfortable.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Diablo. Clicking a trillion times isn't my idea of fun. I'm could get shanked for saying that here, but there it is.\n\nBaldur's Gate II - Throne of Bhall Expansion. It was a shitty expansion with no story that focused entirely on next-to-impossible fights.\n\nRoller Coaster Tycoon. Whatever part makes people good at that game, I'm obviously missing. I couldn't get past level 5 or 6.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Any game where I die a bunch at a single point. I never can care enough to deal with the frustration",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "God Damn Dead Space.\n\nGot to the asteroid section (actually enjoyed the game up to then) and could never get passed the stupid asteroid section. It's been collecting dust since.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Pretty much every final fantasy ever except for X. I always get sidetracked and then when I come back, forgot the story, so I restart. \n\nAnd the cycle repeats itself forever and ever until the end of the world. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Too many to list. Seriously.\n\nWelcome to adulthood, where you have the money to buy pretty much any game you want but no free time to play them. >:[\n\nThat said, I have made a concerted effort to catch up over Christmas and new year. I'm currently playing through STALKER, Max Payne 1+2, Deus Ex (yes, I know, I'm *extremely* late to the party), Assassin's Creed 1 (so I can start AC2) and also Mass Effect.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Dawn of War 2. I keep playing multiplayer, but never have the incentive to go back and finish the single player. After the 8th mission or so it all start to run together.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Halo 3 - I bought it when it first came out. I promptly got the RRoD on my Xbox. I haven't played it since because I don't want to chance breaking the xbox again.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Resistance 2, didn't like it as much as the first, felt really gumby. \n\nEDIT: Chinatown wars on the DS, can't beat the ambulance mission with the tapping the heart thing for some reason",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Homeworld. It looks like an awesome game and i really want to like it. Everytime i see it mentioned i want to find it, reinstall it and try to like it. I tried it years ago so i can't really remember exactly what it was that i didn't like about it. I think it was the controls and i found the gameplay too slow.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Okay, I beat all the dungeons, fought the bosses, time to fight Ganondorf. Oh wait, you want me to sail around until I find randomly scattered pieces of the Triforce. Fuck that noise.\n\n*Shuts off gamecube*\n\n*Grabs dick*",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I'm planning on quitting my job, selling all my shit and traveling the world (as cheaply as I can). I have some questions. Advice please.. | 1) How much money do I need? I'm going to travel for about 6-12 months but depending on how it goes it might get extended. I don't plan on buying much shit, just need money for traveling, eating, hostels, etc. I plan on doing as much couch surfing as I can to save on housing costs.
2) Where's best to go? Where should I spend most time? Where is cheapest? Where is most expensive? What should I absolutely not miss?
3) What should I take with me? What clothes do I need? How do I carry my money? USD? Travelers Checks? No cash just card?
4) Who do I fly with? Obviously I need to buy a "round the world" ticket, which one should I buy?
5) Any other advice, tips?
*----*
**Edit** Thanks for all the amazing advice guys. Because I really want this to be an amazing trip, I think i'm going to save more money until August/September'ish and then head out. Since I'm originally from the UK, i've already traveled a bunch in Europe so I'm going to skip it completely to save money.
My plan is to head first to India, then to Nepal, from there i'll head to China and South East Asia. Then do Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Bali etc. After that I think i'll hit up AU and NZ because I have some friends there.. After that I'm thinking of going to South/Central America.. | 35 | [
{
"body": "Some universal tips... \n\nGo by yourself. You'll pick up traveling companions along the way. I can't stress this enough. It doesnt matter who you go with, you'll have a better time and learn much more if you go alone. Learning how to be happy by myself is one of the most important things I have learned thus far. \n\nBring extra socks and underwear. If you've got clean underwear and socks on, it wont seem like such a big deal that you're wearing dirty pants and shirt. \n\nBring a pillow case and either a really small sleeping bag or just one of those sleeping sacks. This will come in handy in some real shady places.\n\nBuy a money belt [like this.](http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Deluxe-Concealed-Security-Belt/dp/B000FPGXGU/ref=pd_sbs_a_1) I always wore one of these below the pants waist line and no one could ever tell I was wearing one. My passport smells like ball sweat.. but hell, I never lost it. \n\nTry to use Couchsurfing.com as much as possible. It's a little bit hard to use if you want to be spontaneous as you should probably send requests about a week early. Most of the couchsurfers I've stayed with have been really awesome and showed me around the city in ways that I wouldve never seen without a local. All the couchsurfers I've met are really great people. I once went to Utrecht, Holland for a weekend and the couchsurfer picked me up and told me he had accidentally made other plans for the weekend. He showed me where his apartment was, gave me the key to it, and went out of town for the weekend. \n\nTry to have 2 ATM cards, or at least two ways to get money. In Germany, I had my ATM card eaten by the machine for whatever reason and had to have my parents wire me money. That sucked. \n\nI used to say always have a 50 or 100 USD bill hidden in your wallet for emergencies or bribing police in Thailand.. but now a days you may want to put a 100 EUR bill in there instead.\n\nDon't piss in public. Ever. Seriously. \n\nDon't get caught with drugs. \n\n\n\n \n\n",
"score": 25
},
{
"body": "Hi Finebushline,\n\n14 months on the road & counting here. (My IAMA here: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/aejc4/i_work_through_a_laptop_travel_365_daysyear_to/ )\n\n#1.) Varies wildly depending on (a) Your location, and (b) Your tolerance for squat toilets/concrete floors. In the developing world, you can pick up a dorm room for $5 or so in most cities, less than $1 in places. In the developed world, you shouldn't be paying more than $25/night if you're happy with dorms (except for ski resorts, exotic islands etc). If you're comfortable living rough, your major expense will be travelling between places. Try keep continent-hopping to a minimum.\n\n#2.) I'm not so strong on Africa/South America, but as for the rest of the world, it depends what you like.\n\nLandscapes & Scenery:\nNew Zealand South Island, Tibet & Western China\n\nCool Wildlife:\nMalaysian Borneo\n\nGetting away from civilisation:\nBhutan\n\nAdventure sports, trekking, general kick-ass-ness:\nNepal\n\nBeaches, Drinking, partying & boinking backpackers:\nSoutheast Asia (Thailand esp)\n\nAwesome People:\nIran\n\nGreat conversation:\nThe poor (AND ONLY THE POOR) sections of Dubai\n\nCultural/Festivities:\nIndia\n\nTech & Nerdgasms:\nSouth Korea & Japan\n\nOverall? If you're under 25 & sociable, start in Southeast asia & see where it takes you.\n\n3.) As little as possible. Stuff is cheaper outside the western world, just buy what you need when you need it. Exception to this is a high-quality backpack: Buy before you go - the ones sold in the developing world\nare usually cheap ripoffs that offer little comfort & a tendency to fall apart. Keep a few US $ on hand for miscellaneous use, but mostly, but if you're going for 6-12 months you'll rely on a bank card with either Visa or Maestro/Cirrus connectivity. Try go with visa & try get a card that has low international withdrawal fees - Maestro/Cirrus can kill with extra charges. \n\n4.) Round the world tickets are an option, but may limit your flexibility. Another option is to buy a one way ticket somewhere, make damn sure you have enough cash for a one-way ticket home if it's needed, and just buy as you go. Hopping between countries overland is a lot of fun & usually very cheap. While it works out a little more pricey, you do save some cash from the fact that you can travel from a-->b, instead of a-->b and then back to a again to catch your next flight.\n\nIf you'd still like a RTW ticket, my advice would be check the terms carefully & then go with whoever's cheapest. If it's much-of-a-muchness pricewise, Singapore Airlines is widely regarded to be #1 of the major carriers these days. Cathay & Emirates probably fight it out for 2nd.\n\n5.) \na.) If you're travelling alone, hostels not hotels. You'll get lonely in hotels, you'll meet loadsa people in hostels.\n\nb.) If you're happy taking a bit of a risk, get a motorcycle license before you go. Motorcycling across countries, though dangerous, is a LOT of fun. \n\nc.) Try take an interest in photography. Even if you don't like photos, learning to look for beautiful pictures will help you see more beautiful things.\n\nd.) 60% of the world's beauty happens at dawn. 30% happens at dusk.\n\ne.) 90% of being an 'experienced traveller' is learning how not to get ripped off. As a westerner, people in most parts of the world will try overcharge the hell out of you. Try learn the legitimate price of things as early as possible. Stay friendly, but barter hard. Secondly, no matter how friendly they seem pretty much any local who approaches you without good reason is trying to rip you off. Outside Europe/North America you'll inevitably get ripped a few times, learning how to dodge it is 90% the art of travelling. :-)\n\nf.) DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO STREET KIDS. You're not helping them, you're hurting them. If you want to help, give to a recognised charity.\n\ng.) Finally, it's all about resilience. 90% of loving travel is dealing with 5-hour delays, broken-down buses, terrible bathroom facilities and not-quite-hot-water with a sense of humour. Most of the world is not as efficient as the west. Deal with it & you'll have a great time.\n\nBest of luck. :-)",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "Vincent: You're serious? You're thinking about quitting?\r\n\r\nJules: The life? Most definitely.\r\n\r\nVincent: Shit. What you gonna do then?\r\n\r\nJules: Well, my friend, that's what I was just thinking. First, I'm going to deliver this case to Marcellus, then, basically, I'll just walk the Earth.\r\n\r\nVincent: What'cha mean, \"walk the earth\"?\r\n\r\nJules: You know, walk the earth, meet people … get into adventures. Like Caine from Kung Fu.\r\n\r\nVincent: How long do you intend to walk the earth?\r\n\r\nJules: Until God puts me where he want me to be.\r\n\r\nVincent: What if he never does?\r\n\r\nJules: If it takes forever, I'll walk forever.\r\n\r\nVincent: So you decided to be a bum?",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "Hey, I spent a year traveling, so here's my input:\n\n1) I spent $20,000 for 1 year, that included everything. I spent 7 months in Asia, 4 in Australia, and 1 in New Zealand. I worked for 3 weeks on a farm in Australia, more for fun than anything. In Asia or anywhere cheap, you can get by easily on $1000/month\n\n2) Personally, going to Asia was amazing - because it's cheap, you can really take your time, and really do activities, etc. There are so many different countries to see, and it's relatively safe.\n\n3) Take a great backpack, but if your first stop will be somewhere cheap, it's probably better to buy stuff when you get there. Money should be carried in a money belt, and your primary way to access it would be with an ATM card. There are very few places left where you can't use it. Also, have a few travellers cheques, and tape $60 - $100 USD Cash to the inside of your big backpack where it would least likely to ever be found.\n\n4) Round the world is not necessarily the way to go unless you want to fly to expensive places. Maybe it will be for you, but just consider not using that option. Makes traveling over-land easier (I traveled from Beijing to Singapore over land).\n\n5) NEVER SAY NO. Seriously, you always regret the things you don't do, never the things you do. Get off the beaten track when visiting heavily touristed countries (like Thailand).\n\nIf you have any other questions about Asia (East Asia, and S-E Asia), Australia, or NZ, I can try to answer them based on my experience.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Don't forget \"happiness is real only when shared\" ... from Into the Wild.\r\n\r\nI traveled & lived abroad for work for around 5 years. My best memories are when I had a friend (even a local) with me.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Whenever you move from one spot to another, you basically double the amount of money you'd spend if you stayed put. Plan accordingly. \n\nAvoid Europe. It's expensive as hell. I was spending about 30-40 bux/day in Europe. I could get by with 20 in Thailand. \n\nRemember to keep at least 3k saved up for when you come back. When you come back, you're an adult now. You don't want to have to come to mom and dad and ask for money. \n\nBuy a good, compact sleeping bag. It'll make your layovers comfortable, your cold flights warm, keep the mosquitoes off you, make dirty beds sleep-able, and tons of other things. \n\nWatch your back out there. Lots of people will know you're a tourist, and that means money. Use common sense.\n\nYou'll figure out the rest.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I backpacked for about 1 month in Europe during the summer of 2007. I spent an average of €50 per day. Staying at camping grounds instead of a hostel can be cheaper. This does not necessarily mean you'll be sleeping in a tent. Camping Firenze in Venice had trailer-type accommodations, while Camping Michelangelo in Florence had large, structured tents with bunk beds. Also consider that most museums charge at least €8. \n\nI say skip Florence unless you're totally devoted to art.\nVenice is so-called cliché but whatever, it is beautiful.\nPrague is awesome: cheap and interesting.\n\nGood luck!",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I haven't traveled as extensively as I would like. That said I'd suggest starting in South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, etc.) and then working your way to India and Nepal. If you have never traveled Asia, India can be a bit overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I think India and Nepal are richer in terms of experiences (I am Indian), however South east Asia would be easier as a first step. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I haven't travelled as much as some, but enough to know what works for me. Also this is just a brain dump so I'm not assuming any of this is new to you.\n\n1) You need more money to travel quickly. If you're willing to take things slowly and work for accomodation (check out helpx or ask in hostels) or couchsurf you can stay out longer on the same amount of cash. If you want to do an all around the world trip as fast as you can so you can say you've \"done\" a large number of countries then you'll need a lot more.\n\n2) I think the \"where should I go\" question is one only you can answer. I loved India, and after I recommended it emphatically my friend really didn't have a good experience there. Is there anywhere you've always wanted to go? If not then pick somewhere you think will be fun or just pin up a map and throw a dart ;) Also if you have a plan be willing to chuck it if a fun opportunity presents itself along the way.\n\n3) I can't stress the importance of travelling light enough. I travel with a backpack that's about 35 litres. That will carry more than enough stuff and I've always been let bring it on as hand luggage when flying. When I first went travelling I had an 85 litre rucksack and walking around with it on tires you out very quickly. Besides that you stand out as a tourist more easily though I guess this is inevitable in many parts of the world. You can always buy and discard stuff en route if you need to.\n\nPack less clothes that take up space (pants, jumpers, etc) as these tend to get smelly less quickly (I normally travel with two of each so I can wear one if the other is drying) and more of the stuff that smells (socks,underpants,etc.). Something that looks good for going out in is always good if you decide to go out somewhere fancy :) I generally keep a stash of money hidden somewhere other than my wallet and use a card, but a certain amount of emergency money in traveller's cheques is a good plan I think.\n\nA good pair of shoes that are comfortable and suitable for most climates is an important investment. You will spend a lot of time walking and blisters are not fun. Breaking in the shoes before you go is a good plan. Assume they will get wrecked/have the pox by the time you get home. I generally tie my shoes/sandals to the straps on my backpack so they don't take up any room inside it.\n\nI put my money in the pocket of my pants and keep an emergency stash hidden in my backpack. If someone wants your money they'll either take it by force in which case you will probably give them your hidden money belt anyway or they'll try and pickpocket you. You can protect yourself against the latter by spreading your stuff around different pockets that are hard to get to and being vigilant. Also looking like a shabby fucker not worth robbing helps :)\n\n4) Do you need a \"round the world ticket\"? Do you plan on flying everywhere? I've never used one but they seem to often have restrictions that can be a pain in the ass like needing to specify certain arrangements in advance. Budget airlines tend to operate most places these days and in a lot of countries you can travel pretty cheaply over land. For instance in Germany there's a car sharing website (mitfahrzentrale) where people will split the cost of fuel/rental for a trip, which works out cheaper than taking the train generally (and can be more fun). \n\n5) Don't expect everywhere to work/be just like home and don't be annoyed if things are different. For instance in some countries it's perfectly reasonable to skip people in the queue if there's enough place in between them and the next person. There's no point in getting annoyed at this.\n\nSample the local cuisine and don't always just go for a McDonald's everywhere.\n\nIt's nice to learn how to say a few phrases like \"hello\" and \"thank you\" in the local language. Also learning how the locals say \"fucking foreigner\" is useful ;)\n\nRealise that there's really very little to be worried about.\n\nHave fun and tell us about it so we can live vicariously through you :)",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Reddit Tournaments on Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker for this weekend | Information for upcoming and previous tournaments can be found in the sidebar on the right. thanks again to mlloyd67 for keeping the tournament standings updated. as always feedback based on the time and date is welcome. good luck! | 8 | [
{
"body": "Eh, you do realize that there are redditors from Europe who also like to play in these tourneys ? :-) \nThat being said, I can make 0:00 GMT+1 on a weeknight, so I'd probably play. \n\nedit: WTF ??? Is 'reply' broken ???? ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Hey guys, why don't we have a random tourney at like 11AMPST which would make it evening time for the Europeans. I would play that.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
[Request] A cartoon of a bear flying a fighter jet. | We've all seen the [bear cavalry](http://c2.api.ning.com/files/K-XUvcAylbf3bH9m6w-KQXs*ENbWgBcxSJFfpH7c0wVvTzhy4K9UmvOfLNzR7Npt/BearCavalry.jpg), but I was bored today and starting putting words together:
Bear.
Airforce.
Bearforce.
I'm instinctively thinking of [this Watterson gem](http://media.photobucket.com/image/t-rex%20fighter%20jet/Zamkaizer/CalvinHobbes-TinyT-Rex.jpg), but use your artistic license to make it however you like.
Kickass!
Edit: Reddit is the best thing ever. A thousand upvotes for you all. | 33 | [
{
"body": "[Done](http://imgur.com/i58ib.jpg) \n\nFor future advice on art requests... It is impossible to live up to a Watterson reference.... Dude is too genius, and any viewing of his work automatically influences the results...",
"score": 60
},
{
"body": "I'm going to make a request too. I'm serious about this. It's an inside joke for a friend and me but I'd love to see a cartoon of a white Persian cat wearing aviator goggles and a scarf flying on a mattress over a city much like you'd see someone on a flying carpet. ('cause we all see people on flying carpets all the time) ",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "Can't help you with the Bearforce but that does remind me of the [motherfuckin' bear-o-dactyl](http://imgur.com/4LWQL).\n\nOriginal source [here](http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ptero)",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I don't have the art skills to really help, but [this](http://imgur.com/rFwoa) was on the front page today.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE feel like they can't get anything right? | Very promising offer regarding an interview for an internship which I was very qualified for went into my spam folder, only to be found a week later, and late enough so that the position was filled by the time I called back. Since when does Gmail mark hotmail addresses as spam anyways? Well, I'm off to the bar ... help me feel better ... what sucks for you guys right now?
EDIT: Now that I think about it ... this would make for a very good FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU comic. | 41 | [
{
"body": "Don't feel bad - I mean, you were about to intern at a company that uses *hotmail*. I think you should be thanking Gmail. ",
"score": 18
},
{
"body": "I got short changed at the Starbucks the other day, so I went up to some random person on the street (who's car had just been backed into) yelling that they were the anti-christ. Sometimes you just need to vent and you'll feel better.",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "Aww man that sucks. Some asshole backed into my parked car yesterday and left. The damage was pretty expensive. Then while I was assessing the damage, some homeless guy randomly comes up to me and yells at me, telling me that I'm the antichrist. Normally I'd be flattered, but I didn't appreciate it then. Hopefully you will run into something better. And hopefully that homeless guy steps in dog shit or something.",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "I submitted a post like this to Reddit a few weeks ago when it seemed that nothing was going right, asking to hear other redditors' stories of woe so we could all commiserate and hopefully laugh about it and maybe give each other halfhearted smiles through the darkness.\r\n\r\nThe post got rejected by Reddit filters.\r\n\r\nFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Is it possible to learn to like sports? | I am a heterosexual, white, North American man (Canadian/American about split in years lived in both nations during adult life). And I have never, ever enjoyed playing or watching a team sport, nor the vast majority of individual sports either. I like parts of the summer Olympics (the sprinters, mostly) and the Tour de France. I am mildly athletic and have enjoyed biking and weightlifting over many years.
I've obviously been exposed to all NA sports and Cricket and Rugby as well. But I cannot get into them, despite having tried. Is there some key to approaching sports that I may be missing? I am kinda clueless about what even to ask since I know so little about sports. | 6 | [
{
"body": "Why do you want to like sports? I can't bring myself to watch sports, or play most of them for that matter. To me, it is just simply boring to watch other people play a game. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I am not sure why you are interested to \"like\" something that you are not interested in the first place. \n\nOne thing which works for me is by \"gambling\". If my money is on the line, I tried to \"learn\" all the technicalities which boost my interest to the most uninteresting shit. However, I must inform you that sportbetting in USA is a crime and may land you in jail. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE hate unsolicited advice? | It's the worst when it comes from someone of no particular value or significance in your life.. and they have that kind of chipper look on their face afterward, like they just did something really great for you, and understand if you don't show appreciation with words or facial expressions.. because they "understand" your situation.. GAAAHH!!!! | 27 | [
{
"body": "I think if you are going to ask people if they hate unsolicited advice, you should really do something about that smell first.",
"score": 5
}
]
|
Anyone else love the portability of the DS, but overwhelmed with the suckage of games out for it? | I have been obsessed with my DS since the Lite came out, and I just upgraded to the DSi this Christmas, but the games still **suck**. I do not want to play a baby simulator, or learn how to become a fashion designer, and I cannot imagine my 8-year-old self wanting to partake in these games either. It seems like companies are shoveling out filth for this potentially awesome platform, but never stopping to make a decent game. Sure there is Pokemon, and Scribblenauts, but other than that, I am almost offended at how trite the games are. I recently purchased Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams, in the hopes of something like Animal Crossing, but that was a disaster. The entire point of the game is to earn 'friendship points' to buy a penthouse so the city will like you. Wtf kind of crap is that? It took me less than a day to beat, and all of the objectives were overwhelmingly mundane.
**tl;dr:** Most DS games are shallow pieces of crap produced to sell, and not to entertain; although the DS could be so much more.
If anyone could post some decent games, that would be much appreciated. I have been a long-time DS player, so I doubt anything worth playing has slipped through my filter, but please prove me wrong. | 8 | [
{
"body": "I am angry I lost my DS, though I realized not much changed because I didn't play it that much anyway. Most of the games seemed to focus on fancy graphics. I think most of these companies invested most of their money in graphix to utilize the fancy DS features and then allotted a tiny portion to gameplay/story. \nI recall the Curious Village game being good and getting rave reviews, though not too fancy on the features front (not a bad thing). I usually wait until after a system is out for a while, when all the games built purely to utilize all the new and fancy features of the system die out and when the real, exciting games have had time to develop.\n\nSorry, can't really contribute any recommendations since I lost my DS ages ago when moving out of my dorm room.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Fellow reddit atheists, has anyone ever presented you with an argument for existence of a god, which was even remotely intelligent, coherent, or logical? | I ask this because of the dealings I and others have had with Christians here in r/atheism. People like to mock this subreddit and call it a "circle jerk", but the truth is that quite often Christians come in here to debate, challenge, troll, or just present a Christian's perspective on a story atheists care about. A lot of them seem like nice people (with some very notable exceptions), but when it comes down to the nittry gritty, the very notion over whether or not a god exists, all we get from them is horseshit, poetry, or philosophical smoke and mirrors. Here are some brilliant examples I've seen:
* God's love is evidence that he exists
* The story of the resurection is proof that God exists
* God wants us to believe in him without evidence, which is why there's no evidence, which is why I believe in God.
* The shroud of Turin is proof God exists
* God is beyond evidence/science
* You can't prove God doesn't exist, therefore he exists
And so on, and so on. It bothers me because it really seems like the atheists here are the ones having honest discussion (even though there are some dumbasses on that side as well). Most of the time you can't even get the Christian to engage in simple point/counterpoint debate. Even worse, they won't even answer *simple* questions directly (such as, "Why do you believe in God?"). When I think of great examples of logical pro-God arguments, I think of Descartes starting with "I think, therefore I am", then moving up to "prove" a god exists. His logic is flawed, but at least he is making an effort to be coherent and intelligent. So I'm wondering, has anyone hear ever heard a pro-God argument that even made them think for a *moment*, "You know, I don't believe in God, but that was a damn good argument!" | 29 | [
{
"body": "The TL;DR version is No, there are no credible arguments for the existence of God. All in-favor arguments use either ignorance or deceipt to make their point. That is not the same thing as the question you quoted, however:\n\n> Why do you believe in God?\n\nThis is a much thornier question, and one that for most people does not have a clear answer. They've never thought about it, and the religious ideas that they hold have never been subject to analytical thinking (not because they lack this power, but because religious ideas aren't formed that way).\n\nIt wasn't until I read up on the current state of anthropological research into religious belief that I understood why the supernatural seems so plausible to so many people. This new understanding also enabled me to see why there is such a schism between what people say they believe and how they actually behave (e.g., virtually every Christian will claim that God can heal any disease at any time, but they all [save a few fringe crazies] seek out a doctor for their ailments).\n\nSo: existence of God is a pretty easy question. Why people believe that they believe is trickier.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "> I refuse to prove that I exist,\" says God, \"for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.\"\n \"But,\" says Man, \"the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED\"\n \"Oh dear,\" says God, \"I hadn't thought of that,\" and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.\n\n-Douglas Adams",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "There is obviously no current proof for the existence of a god. The only space I can reserve for the possibility lends itself to humankind simply not being able to understand or comprehend a deity. It works in the same way that ignorant seafarers may return from a journey with tales of sea monsters. Most likely the sailors saw *something* and couldn't describe it well. There are certainly strange, proven-to-exist creatures in the oceans that could have been mistakenly attributed to be a sea monster. We just couldn't accurately classify these creatures until the advent of the camera and greater submarine technology. We *could* just lack a \"God camera\" and we see it's effects without understanding the true nature of the phenomena itself. Same as the way we saw the sun rise and set each day for thousands of years and only figured the earth's rotating axis a few hundred years ago.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Yes, after watering down the word \"god\" til it was so vague, that could include an alien (alien that came about through Darwinian evolution, mind you) invented microorganism that found it's way to earth, then became the ancestor of everything alive today. ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Hey strncmp,\n\nSo, first of all, I'm a Christian that loves these discussions, and if you ever want to get a point-counterpoint debate going either over reddit, email, on a blog, or whatever, let me know, I'm up for it!\n\nSo, as for an argument for the existence of God. The most concise logical argument I've heard is the Kalam Cosmological Argument. It's pretty straight forward.\n\n1. Everything that has a beginning has a cause<br>\n2. The universe had a beginning\n3. The universe has a cause.\n\nHopefully you will agree that syllogistically speaking, this is a logical argument, in that, if the premises are true, the conclusion logically follows. So, lets' examine the premises:\n\nEverything in modern science points to the validity of point 2, excepting some theories regarding oscillatory universes or meta-quantum foam phenomena. \n\nAs for the oscillatory universe (i.e. big-bang-big-crunch-big-bang and so on), it violates a principle known as the Penrose-Hawking singularity theorem, which among other things, states that there is no space-time trajectory through a singularity, eliminating the only candidate theoretical model for how an oscillatory model would work (i.e. matter/energy passing through the singularity, and out the other side).\n\nAs for the meta-quantum foam phenomena theory (which can go by other names), an application of this results in infinite regress. The theory in short states that in the same way, in a vacuum, particles jump into being in equal parts matter-antimatter, and then collide and eliminate one another, the universe itself is merely a quantum fluctuation in some meta-vacuum outside the the universe. The problem with this is, can you explain then where the vacuum into which the universe popped came from? or the one after that?\n\nAlso note that the prevailing theory of multiple universes does not affect this proof. All that is required is any cosmological model for which there is a time t=0\n\nThe only weakness and room for argument is in point 1. Here we are making what is effectively a metaphysical claim.(note: metaphysical != supernatural, not even the same ballpark). We have only two facts upon which we can say that point two is likely:\n\nA. No known observable counter-example exists (even the quantum foam requires space in which to occur, and I would love to discuss some possible counter-examples)\nB. It seems to be a properly basic idea (In the Plantinga sense, not the Descartes sense).\n\nNow, you can choose either to accept or reject the argument on the basis of premise 1, but some other things tend to follow if you believe the syllogism correct. Namely, we can make the following statements about what the cause may be:\n\n1. The universe has a cause\n2. The universe consists of space, matter/antimatter/energy therein, and time\n3. Any cause must be temporally, or at least causally prior to the effect.\n1. The cause of the universe must be temporally, or at least causally prior to the effect.\n2. If the cause of the universe must be temporally, or at least causally prior to the effect, THEN the cause cannot consist of space, matter/antimatter/energy therein, and time.(at least not that space matter and time within the universe)\n\nHere we have the conclusion (though slightly messier) that whatever that cause may be, it must exist outside time, space, and matter.\n\nSo far as I can tell, though I think other arguments are useful for establishing things like the moral character of God, this is the most logically solid argument I've found. I do want to be clear though, this proof doesn't conclude with \"And therefore God, the Father of Jesus, and the God of the Christians exists!\" The only thing it proves is that there is some \"something\" outside of time, space, and matter, with the ability to cause things independently of time, that created the universe. The same argument could just as easily be used by a jew or muslim.\n\nWhat it does do is goes a long way towards showing the theistic view to be one worth paying attention to.\n\nLet me know if you want to get that point-counterpoint started, or want to know why I believe in God. I think I've written enough for one night, may give it another go tomorrow!\n\n[Edited for readability]\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "There's a [book](http://www.amazon.com/Reasons-People-Give-Believing-God/dp/1591025672/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263251694&sr=8-1) that does a good job of addressing the bullet points you listed, from an atheist's point of view. In fact, it almost seems that you've pulled these points right from the book! I think you'll be hard pressed to find an argument from a believer that holds up to your standards. While I don't know of the existance of gods or a \"God\" it's difficult (impossible?) to *disprove* their or His existance, no? All in all, I think you've made a good point here but you have to take into account the IMMENSE amount of generational brainwashing/indoctrunation/institutionalization that believers are a part of. Believers will always fall back to relying on faith...just deal with it.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Many of the arguments advanced for the existence of a god are *remotely* intelligent, coherent, and/or logical. But that's about where they stop.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Nope. Never. I have been subjected to arguments for God all my life, I have read theology and religious philosophy and I have never once seen an argument that wasn't either embarrassingly poor or blatant and shameless sophistry.\n\nThere are no good arguments for the existence of God. None.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Well there's always the \" God is at the other edge of that which is knowable\" argument.\n\nFor example \"What caused the big bang?\"\n\nWhich is a fair question and since we don't have an answer it could just as well be god as any other possibility. But this is a stalemate at best and Christianity has tried this one before and lost as science pushes the unknown back further and further.\n\nSo....no...no good ones.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Ironically, I think Intelligent Design is one of the most promising (of several bad) attempts.\n\nIt took a pretty sophisticated level of scientific knowledge to get to the point where we can make reasonable guesses about the origins of life, the universe and everything. \n\nLife is pretty wondrous, I can't fault people from centuries past who in their ignorance past took this as a sign of the creator.\n\nThe logic leap I have always wondered about is going from \"God exists\" to \"...and he is exactly like it says in the old book\".\n",
"score": 3
}
]
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If you can keep the gist of the information in the title rather than making it always necessary to open the link, please do so. | I like TodayILearned most when you can just open the subreddit and there is a lot of information already waiting for you in all the titles. When you only need to open the link if you want further information about the subject or if it's too complex to fit in the title, which is obviously bound to happen and is fine, but in general.
**For example:**
"TIL that bacon tastes amazing because it's made from sweet tasty swine" rather than "TIL why bacon tastes so amazing"
or
"TIL that male narwhals smell like brownies, and female narwhals smell like cupcakes" instead of "TIL the difference between male and female narwhals"
Or if not, then bollocks to it, just an observation.
| 7 | [
{
"body": "You've got the mods' approval.\n\nI would really like to refer all the \"TIL about x\" topics over to [/r/wikipedia](/r/wikipedia).\n\nIt's a good subreddit. But it's *different* from the small facts here. - Learning about turkeys is not a fact. But putting \"Turkeys\" on the [/r/wikipedia](/r/wikipedia) page is a good way to do that.\n\nKeep the simple, easy facts over here, things that can be immediately seen and understood and THEN more information can be later found out. Rather than just saying \"Hey, go find out some information about this random subject. I just did.\"\n\n[/r/wikipedia](/r/wikipedia).",
"score": 3
}
]
|
A boy named Shawn (Venomfangx) | The full story of venomfangx
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLnab8FA9tk
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b64-e7zLF4g
Part3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT2bZV6TKeI
Part4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPzykCTW1EE | 20 | [
{
"body": "Nice reporting. I haven't really been following the whole Venomfangx thing so this is interesting to me.",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Can someone please recommend some good diagrams on the internets for beginners? | I'm trying to learn on my own & I've been watching videos on youtube and knittinghelp.com over and over again, but something just isn't connecting in my brain. I figured out how to do a long tail cast on, but I can't seem start the first row of knit stitches. I think some diagrams would be more helpful than videos for me, so I would be super grateful if someone could link to some good ones that they've found. Thanks! | 6 | [
{
"body": "HowStuffWorks has a good [knitting tutorial](http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-knit4.htm) that really helped me. I had to see the drawings to really understand where the yarn and needles are supposed to go.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Anyone know how to make CD liner notes? | Hi guys! Since you're all so smart, can anyone tell me the easiest way to make a CD booklet template? I'm using Microsoft Office 2007, but if any of you know of a better program for doing this, that'd be great too.
Thanks! | 11 | [
{
"body": "Hey, you should hand-write them. It will make it way more personal, and you won't have to worry about learning how. :)",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Ask /r/apple: Adding an OS X Server to your home network. Good idea? Bad idea? Best idea? | With the advent of the $999 Mini Server I've been intrigued by the idea of adding one to my home network. I also have the choice of repurposing my old 20" Core Duo iMac to run Server (a bit cheaper at $399 - and something I could try with the 30-day Apple trial).
Currently I run a few blog websites, my dad's small business website, and I have a home network with two MacBook Pros, the aforementioned iMac, two gaming PCs, and a spate of consoles which I use for media streaming and gaming).
I'm curious about switching my hosting to home for at least one of the websites, I like the idea of the Podcast Producer, and I could totally see the use for the home Wiki and for VPN.
Has anyone else added an OS X server to the home? What were your experiences like? Would you recommend it? | 6 | [
{
"body": "I'm not sure where to begin with this one....\n\n\"OS X Server\" is not needed for what you want to do, vanilla OS X will work just fine.\n\nThe real issues are upstream bandwidth and whether or not you can get a static IP address.\n\n",
"score": 5
}
]
|
Are you ridiculed for being a conspiracy theorist? | I am always talking to my dad about things that don't add up about 9/11 and what is really going on in Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan. His only response is that if anything of what I talked about where true it would be on the front page of the news everywhere. "The media hates Bush and Cheney. If there was a conspiracy behind 9/11 the media would have a field day."
When he say the news about the Underwear Bomber he was like, Dan what's the conspiracy behind this. I instantly told him it probably to have an excuse for setting up in Yemen since it is practically a part of Saudi Arabia and is a gold mine for oil. This is before I read any articles about it on /r/conspiracy. | 9 | [
{
"body": ">His only response is that if anything of what I talked about where true it would be on the front page of the news everywhere.\r\n\r\nThat's how deep the hypnosis runs... if it were true it would be on the mainstream news! Umm no. Quite the opposite, in fact.\r\n\r\n>Are you ridiculed for being a conspiracy theorist? \r\n\r\nNot really, because I let people know that I'm more of a conspiracy buff... I find conspiracy theories intriguing and entertaining.\r\n\r\nI also make fun of ridiculous conspiracy theories... so hopefully people realize that I'm quite discerning and rational... I may be quirky but I'm not a kook!",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "It all depends on what kind of crowd you're talking to. Most people simply don't give a fuck one way or the other and would rather not listen to anything that challenges their beliefs or lack of knowledge.\n\nI've been ridiculed for more that one \"theory\" that is plausible, for instance I personally don't believe that 6 million jews were systematically murdered by the nazis.... and even if it were true, Stalin killed more jews and in north america tens of millions of aboriginals were slaughtered with their culture being totally destroyed... why wasn't this taught in highschool? Why was the alleged murder of 6 million jews burned into our minds but not the atrocities committed on my own continent?\n\nI ask people these questions and the best people can come up with is that I'm anti-semetic... ",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "I've found repeatedly that the best way to wake people up is to be as calm as possible. I used to get all scared talking about the nwo, but it didn't really work as it scared people away. Once I started talking about it in a calm way more people were interested.\n\nYes, you will be ridiculed, but that's the way the truth works. Every truth passes through these 3 stages:\n\n1.Ridiculed\n\n2.Violently Opposed\n\n3.Accepted as being self-evident",
"score": 4
}
]
|
I am interested in printing one picture as several smaller (4x6 or so) prints and hanging them together in separate frames. | Has anyone had any experience doing this?
I am not a photographer by any means so I was hoping to find an example online of how I might go about doing this.
Any suggestions, programs that might help?
Thanks in advance! | 5 | [
{
"body": "I did this, I used the rasterbator mentioned by 'werdan' and got it printed on photo paper, framed them individually. Made this version of [Whaam](http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v76/167/121/283600793/n283600793_368266_2764.jpg)",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Any Interesting Hostel Experiences? | A while back I enjoyed backpacking through Europe for over a month. Most of the time I camped but here and there I would crash at a Hostel. My favorite was [Balmer's](http://www.balmers.com/) in Interlaken Switzerland. Didn't get much sleep though as I was in a room with bunks that touched so I enjoyed playing footsy all night with whoever you were. Does anybody else have a good, bad or interesting story from staying in a hostel? | 6 | [
{
"body": "The new hostel mates and I went out for a round of karaoke in Tokyo. The three hour sing-along package came with all-you-can-drink booze and all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream.\nObviously, we got completely sauced and high on sugar.\nI got myself to bed then later had to quitely manouver out of my bunk to go heave up chocolate-vanilla swirl in the potty. I was polite about it and wore the communal bathroom slippers (what's up with that, Japan?) but I had a tough time navigating the remote control console to flush the toilet. Then I needed to rest on the floor for the next few hours....until someone woke me up to pee...and wear the slippers.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I had some Scouse guy try to sell me a gun so he could \"get smacked up like\" in a Christian Hostel in Amsterdam, I'm not religious, we blagged it in. Can't say I had a good nights sleep really after that. \n\nIt was my mates idea to sleep there after we arrived NYE and couldn't get a room, not his finest idea that. And FTR if you're going to Amsterday, don't leave finding a hotel last minute, book it before you go and don't let your mates tell you it'll be fine to sort it out once you get there... it won't.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "My middle school French class traveled to Paris and stayed in a hostel there. On our last night in the country, we all got dressed up for a nice five-course dinner at a neighborhood restaurant. \n\nSo, picture six or seven middle school girls putting on lotion, shaving their legs, doing their makeup, etc., in a hostel room. Now picture one of them opening the window facing the courtyard to get some fresh air.... and an **enormous cheer** erupts from approximately 150 Italian students in the courtyard.\n\nMy startled classmate immediately slams the window shut, which leads to a chorus of \"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO\" from the crowd in the courtyard. So, one by one, several girls peer out the window and receive cheers, then shut it and are booed.\n\nAfter a few repetitions of the yay/booooo yay/boooo cycle, two of the Italian students come running up the stairs, knock on the door of our room and ask if they can say hello to their friends from our balcony. We say that's fine, they do so, and the loudest cheering yet ensues as they strut around in front of our window posing like peacocks.\n\nSuddenly, an old man screaming in barely-intelligible French appears (the Italians mysteriously disappear as he enters the room) and screams until our teacher--in a towel and slippers--is roused from the shower. He threatens to have us all arrested and thrown out of the hotel for causing such a commotion.\n\nNobody ended up arrested, our towel-clad teacher calmed the hostel owner down, and we all went to dinner. The only casualty was the teacher's cashmere sweater, which she stomped into the ground while yelling at the class in very animated Franglish. But it was still pretty odd.\n",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Stayed at the Green Tortoise in SF once, an older (old) lady and I both fapped at the same time. I finished first and she sighed exasperatedly.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Dear Coffee Reddit: How do I become a good coffee connisseur? Which brewers/methods are best, and which coffee beans are best? | I've seen forum after forum recommend a dozen coffee brewing methods, including espresso machines in the thousands of dollars range, to french presses being the bee's knees, to all kinds of other setups. Is there a "best" or proper way to do it right? What are the universally most acceptable methods of coffee making for those who are coffee enthusiasts? I've heard roasting your own is best, but seems expensive.
Also, which kinds of coffees are best? I've been getting store-bought for some time (though I'm going to try a batch of 100% Kona coffee soon). Several places say only certain places that are Fair Trade certified should be purchased. I've also read that something known as "Intelegencia" coffee should be used. Also I've heard only local stuff should be used as its freshest (i live in Florida, where the heck can i get local stuff???). There seem to be so many names and blends/roasts of coffee out there when I look into the Fair Trade and Intelegencia coffees that I have no idea what kinds of flavors they'll have (no idea how the listed names equate to the store-bought kinds I am used to :-/)
Anyway, I wanted to get everyones opinions here, as well as pricing range | 13 | [
{
"body": "The bad news first: It is hard to find good coffee in Florida. The state is years behind some areas of the country in both consumer education and execution at retail. But like all things this only means there's lots of room to grow and for quality focused retailers to get their foot in the door. \n \nThe good news: The USA has lots of great coffee (beyond good). Forget about anything you purchase in a grocery store. Go mail order and make sure anything you buy is: \n1. Whole Bean \n2. Has Roast dates on the bag. \n3. Always grind fresh - and use your coffee within 2 (max 3) weeks of roast date. \n \nA French Press is a great idea - so too would be a melita-type pour-over cone. With a Zassenhaus hand grinder, or a Baratza Maestro electric, and great beans - you can make world class coffee at home everytime. \n \nAs far as Beans go: \n1. Intelligentsia --- great beans, always fresh, good packaging, good shipping. \n2. Stumptown. Great beans, packaging less shipping friendly. \n3. Terrior -- high quality - very light roasting style. \n4. Counter Culture -- great beans, good shipping \n \nUse these as a starting point and explore over time. Remember coffee is a journey. This should be a point of departure for you. The destination is totally yours to create.\n \n**EDIT TO ADD: Don't understand why I was downvoted here unless someone misconstrued what I meant about Florida being behind in consumer education and execution at retail -- I'm talking about coffee exclusively.**",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "A few simple steps to better coffee: 1) Grind to brew, not before; 2) Use conical burr grinder, not propeller grinder; 3) Buy whole-bean coffee from a local roaster or directly from a specialty roaster (Intelligensia is a good one indeed) that you can trust when it comes to \"roast dates\"; . . more than 2 weeks you start losing flavor 4) Use good water. Bad water = bad coffee. Always.\n\nI'd say the above are pretty universal amongst coffee enthusiasts/geeks.\n\nAfter that, you're on your way to experiment with your own preferred roasts, bean origins, blends, and brew methods. A simple cone filter done with the above steps makes me happy; french press and moka pot are great too. The best coffee I make at home tends to come from my electric vac pot (bodum santos), though I just received a stovetop vac pot that's pretty neat.\n\nGood kona is good, but be wary of the expensive stuff like Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain; if you aren't using good water or grinding it in a decent grinder, it's like throwing money away. My current favorite blends are from a local roaster -- a Cuban style is one, and a medium roast from El Salvador is another. In fact, having had JBM and 100% Kona, I'd say those were cool to try, but, even cost aside, wouldn't necessarily keep them in heavy rotation. \n\nFair Trade -- well, that's on your conscience . . .some roasters aren't certified (process may be a hassle or something?), but have what I think they call \"relationship coffees,\" where they offer fair price, etc., despite not getting the stamp. Do some research. To me, organic makes no difference (at least comparable products from my favored roaster). \n\nUmm, roaster in Fla. -- I don't know of one off hand, but I heard that these guys in the Carolinas are really good, and that's not too too far for a shipment to get to you timely, right? Get some mail order going maybe: http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/\n\nDiscovery is a lot of the fun, at least for me.\n\n",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Intelligentsia coffee isn't bad, certainly a grade or two above most grocery store whole bean coffee, but there is better coffee than that out there. They were the first truly premium coffee to make it big on the Internet, but they've been surpassed in quality for some time now.\n\nCheck out [Klatch Roasting](http://klatchroasting.zoovy.com/), [Counter Culture Coffee](http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/), [Gimme! Coffee](http://www.gimmecoffee.com/) and if you want the very best, check out [Terroir Coffee](http://www.terroircoffee.com/), which is run by the legendary George Howell. Unfortunately, Terroir is expensive even as far as premium coffee goes, but they way the select and import the coffee does cost considerably more. It is expensive for a reason.\n\nDon't grind the whole bag all at once and ideally, don't grind it the night before. Grind just before your brew the coffee. The less time between grind and brew the better.\n\nIf you really enjoy coffee, get lighter roasts. Starbucks has made Italian style dark roasted coffee popular and because of this, people assume that dark = good, but that's completely false, because Italian coffee sucks. Sure they invented espresso a few decades ago, but they don't have a clue how to brew decent coffee. Ever try Lavazza? It's like charred Folgers, because that's what Italian roasted coffee is. Burnt. A French roast is similar, but slightly less burnt. The problem with those styles of coffee is that the roast is the dominant flavor. The beans are deliberately roasted to the point that they are very slowly getting charred and what you are tasting is carbonized coffee. If you want to actually taste what makes the coffee distinctive, stick to medium and light roasts.\n\nRegarding brewing your coffee, getting a good quality burr grinder is the most important thing to do. Stay away from blade grinders. Check out the Baratza Maestro for an inexpensive burr grinder. Krups, Cuisinart, Capresso, Bodum, KitchenAid, Breville and Braun all make crap. The next step up from a Baratza Maestro would be Baratza Virtuoso, Gaggia MDF, Cunill Tranquillo or Le'Lit PL 43.\n\nA quality burr grinder is important if you're going to brew anything other than drip coffee. A French press needs a coarse grind because the mesh screen is porous enough to let small particles through, which then end up in your cup. If the grinder doesn't produce an even grind, what should be a coarse grind will end up with a lot of small particles anyway.\n\nIf you only plan on using a drip coffee maker or an [Aerobie Aeropress](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GXZ2GS/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&ie%20UTF8=&s=kitchen&qid=1197672580&sr=1-49) - anything with a paper filter - you get by with a cheap grinder.\n\nI wouldn't get into roasting until you're well into brewing coffee well and have tasted many good coffees. Roasting is a rather complicated and time consuming process. You should have a good idea of what is good coffee first and make sure it's worth the time and effort before diving head first into roasting.\n\nOh, and while some people will tell you otherwise, it is okay to freeze coffee beans. Long term taste tests have shown that there is no perceptible difference between fresh beans and beans that have been in the freezer for six months. Just use a freezer bag and squeeze any excess air out first. If you're not going to use all of your beans in two weeks or less, freeze them to keep them fresh.\n\nEDIT: Also, Kona coffee is overrated because it's expensive and people don't know any better, and because it's grown in Hawaii, where everything is expensive.\n\nTry Kenyan, Colombian (good despite being overused in crappy coffee marketing), Ethiopean, Costa Rican, etc. Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain coffees are the only two I wouldn't recommend because they are so grossly overpriced. Brazilian coffee can be good depending on the estate that grew it, but they're still improving.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Few relevant points.\n\n* Disturbing the coffee while it is brewing releases more tannins, which are very bitter.\n\n* There is a *HUGE* difference between Indonesian/African coffees and South American coffees.\n\n* The roast is not the bean. Lightly roasted coffee will be more bitter and more acidic. Coffee roasted too darkly will taste burnt. There is a subjective aspect to perfection here, but more darkly roasted coffees tend to be more flavorful.\n\n* Equipment isn't necessarily as important as the bean and the roast.\n\nI brew coffee daily from darkly roasted, but not burnt, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Sumatra Mandehling, ground in a cheap krups grinder that I got at a thrift store 7 years ago. I pour boiling water over the coffee in a ceramic coated metal bowl, let it brew for ten minutes, decant it into a second bowl, then decant it through a fine filter into its destination receptacle. This method beats even the Holy Grail of a French press for me, and produces absolutely delicious coffee. Seriously, don't disturb the coffee. No stirring. No jostling.\n\nI find that the Indonesian stuff is smoother, creamier, less acidic and just plain better, *far better*, than anything from the Americas...\n\nOf course, this is all opinion.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I use a French Press, perfect coffee EVERY time, and yeah, do NOT disturb it while it is steeping, give it time. I use little sugar to offset the strong coffee and for cream I use evaporated milk...perfect cup, EVERY time because me and the boyfriend are VERY picky about our coffee. Lately I been brewing Costco Jose French Roast, REALLY good and for less than $9.00 for 3 LBS, I am NOT complaining!",
"score": 3
}
]
|
My posts are not showing up in multiple subreddits. | I can post comments and text posts, but link submissions do not ever make it to the "New" queue.
Here are my last four posts, they are in Pics, Awww and Gaming. Some of them are duplicates because I was attempting to repost and post in a different subreddit.
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/aobpp/i_has_a_driftwood/
http://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/anm9w/frolicking_at_the_beach/
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/anlyo/my_dogs_at_cannon_beach/
http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/an00s/has_anyone_played_the_new_underdome_dlc_for/
I have attempted to contact several mods and sent a message to Feedback, but I have recieved no response.
Thanks. | 3 | [
{
"body": "I fixed the two from /pics, hopefully you'll have more success there in the future. I don't moderate the other reddits so I can't help you there. Good luck :)",
"score": 4
}
]
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What is a good setup for making loose tea at the office? | After lunch is the worst time to try to stay awake, and the cafeteria is closed in the afternoon. I'm thinking an electric kettle in my cube and an infuser mug, but if anyone knows of a better device or system, I would appreciate the input. | 5 | [
{
"body": "Has anyone here had any luck with ingenuitea from adagio? http://www.adagio.com/teaware/ingenuiTEA_teapot.html",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Do you like films full of intellectual masturbation, such as Primer? Then you NEED to check out The Man from Earth. | [The Man from Earth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_From_Earth) is on Netflix instant watch, and the creators have publicly thanked the pirate community for giving this movie the exposure it deserves, so availability (or lack thereof) isn't an excuse to skip this one.
Give the [trailer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njU5CsrYfKM) a watch, but turn it off at 1:00 if you don't want a medium sized spoiler. Although I'd recommend against watching the trailer unless you really need to be convinced to watch this. The less you know about the movie going into it, the more fun you're going to have. Trust me.
Oh, and this film was the last thing [Jerome Bixby](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Bixby) wrote before his death. He wrote short stories, scripts, and a few episodes of The Twilight Zone and Star Trek too.
Point is, this movie sucked me way in and kept me fully captivated throughout. And before I hear all the bitching about it, the acting isn't the best, but get over it. (In a weird, comforting way, the low budget actually feels pretty nostalgic for me, maybe others feel the same?) The real magic of the film is in the dialogue, and the things they talk about, and that isn't hindered at all. It's been a long time since a film has kept me thinking about it so much after seeing it, and I suspect I'm not alone. | 28 | [
{
"body": "this movie belongs on a list with Waking Life, not with Primer. The whole movie is one long conversation and the places it goes are insane.\n\nfucking stellar movie though. Upvoted just for mentioning it. More people need to see it.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Man From Earth would have been really good as a book or short story. As it stands it's just so, so bad from a production standpoint that it was almost impossible for me to sit through. In all honesty I have seen better acting in high-school theater.\n\nWaking Life, on the other hand, is brilliant from top to bottom, both for the dia/monologue, and the rotoscoping.",
"score": 5
}
]
|
1) anyone know how much the monthly cost? and 2) anyone have a spare open beta key?
| And speaking of the open beta, the website to download it is up:
http://www.startrekonline.com/betacard | 5 | [
{
"body": "They haven't announced the subscription costs yet but it is very likely to be around $15, the same as Champions Online. I'm hoping they offer lifetime subscriptions like they did for Champions, I didn't get one for that game but I probably would for this one.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
What films do you think deserve true sequels that don't already have one? | * I just got done watching Ronin (1998). That movie should definitely have a sequel. Perhaps directed by Micheal Mann (Heat, Public Enemies) and reuniting Robert De Niro and Jean Reno.
What does askReddit think?
| 21 | [
{
"body": "I think that, if done *properly*, and with utmost care for the story over the schlock of special effects, **The Matrix** could have a couple of good sequels. Highly unlikely though.",
"score": 27
},
{
"body": "[*Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/)\n\nFricking *great* film, even greater books. They totally meant for it to be a franchise ... it needs to happen.",
"score": 19
},
{
"body": "The Indiana Jones trilogy could use a sequel. I refuse to acknowledge the presence of Crystal Skull, it doesn't exist in my world.",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "Sherlock Holmes. \r\n\r\nI know its new. But I hope its not screwed up by the studios like Pirates of the Caribbean was.",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "Most movies I can think of wanting to see further don't really need a sequel. Stuff like the 5th Element, Dazed and Confused, Ferris Beullers Day Off. There's not a lot of places to go with the story, I just want more of those characters.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I think Trainspotting could use a couple good remixes based on Irvine Welsh's other books. \"Porno\" sounds like a blockbuster hit to me. ",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "*Highlander.* It was a great premise, great characters, great actors. Too bad they never, ever made a sequel.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "It's still recent, but District 9. Unfortunately the last thing I read in an interview with the director was that he was leaning towards a prequel with that one.",
"score": 3
}
]
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Do you exhibit "partisanship" towards a particular philosopher? I know several folks who do; it always struck me as odd. | I mean, heck, are we interested in philosophy because we want some Genius to do the thinking for us? If someone has a radical approach that rings true, perhaps they have indeed cornered the market of truth, but only momentarily. As lovers of wisdom we should be quick to break from His ideas in favor of our own, but proceed by taking into account what valuable insights He provides as we move ourselves towards truth. | 18 | [
{
"body": "as I'm living in austria I picked up our local heroes, wittgenstein, nietzsche, kant, etc. in an early age - trying to understand them got me into the whole deal :-) afterwards trying to escape them again. since then it seems to be a constant process of strongly criticizing a popular position in field x and supporting another in field y. even to the point where you witness rather rational people getting quite emotional. here that topic mostly is somewhere around marx. I do think it is one of the mechanisms that keeps a scientific/ philosophical process going. sticking to a single philosopher is pretty much the same as supporting one theory over another. and you need that partisanship in science/ phil. as well as the constant attacks and (self-) doubts.\n\nas long as you are working in a general field that odd phenomenon isn't that noticeable but later, in specification, it can get annoying. \n\nnice to see someone also thought about this recently. cheers",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "It's been a reactive process for me. I got interested in continental philosophy, particularly Heidegger, while I was doing an MA at York University - but that was because the political science program was heavily Marxian, and I was getting a little irritated with the Marxists. Since then, I've come to the University of Victoria (Canada), where political science is heavily poststructuralist. My reaction here has propelled me away from what I take to be shallow criticisms of the alleged structuralism of Heidegger and Marx. Now I'm a defender of both of them.\n\nBut hey, it's not all bad: I've been forced to read awfully closely in order to cope with criticisms. Partisanship has helped me learn.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I think for a lot of people, myself included, whether we admit it or not, we are more partisan towards the philosophers we know the best. Or maybe we know them the best because they made the most sense to us, which made us read them more closely. Regardless, once we seem favor this philosopher it becomes tougher and tougher to not argue from his/her point of view.\n\nThink about it - if you're a Nietzschean scholar who has spent years of your life writing on the subject, wouldn't you have a vested interest in seeing that Nietzsche stays relevant? And for the rest of us armchair philosophers and lowly philosophy undergrad majors, there's no way we've read the whole literature on any one subject. So if someone brings up a point from a philosopher you haven't read, there is a natural tendency to feel a bit defensive and argue from a point of familiarity. Hence the partisanship. I try to watch out for it but generally prefer Hume for epistemology and Nozick for metaphysics and politics, and Nietzsche and Schoepenhauer for talking shit to other philosophers.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "I wish someone would have told me this a few years ago when I started my undergrad. I remember being a freshman and being bombarded by philosophy all day. \"OOO I'M AN EXISTENTIALIST! OOO I'M A MARXIST!!!! OOO I'M AN ANARCHIST!!! OOOO I'M SO POST MODERN!\" It's nice to have grown up a little and put things in context. ",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Not everyone is interested in philosophy simply for the sake of attaining absolute truth. Some people just want to find the best way to live, and assuming that we will never have perfect knowledge of how to live, at a certain point you just have to adopt whichever philosophy seems the best, and run with it. \n\nPhilosophers pursue philosophy for its own sake (that's why such a small minority actually practice what they preach), while others pursue philosophy in order to address the real world question of how to live. You could of course spend your entire life searching for the perfect philosophy, but you might waste your entire life doing so. ",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I used to be very influenced by Deleuze and Guattari. Their work changed how I think about a lot of stuff, but I have diversified a lot since then and I agree, there is point where one must step away in order to mature as a thinker.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
DAE think about making a hitler 'stache? | But forget about it while shaving and only remember after it is too late, and then think you'll do it next time, but you eventually forget again? | 3 | [
{
"body": "Whenever I go long enough without shaving, I always shave a temporary Hitler 'stache just for kicks. One time the UPS came by in the midst of my shenanigans... that was a hard one to explain.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I'm home alone, and bored. What do I do? | My friend just texted me this question, so I decided to ask you guys.
I was already in the mood for giving shitty advice (I was reading it), so I told her:
a. dim the lights, put on some slow jams...
b. hang a rope from a cieling fan, turn cieling fan to high, and grab on to said rope.
Anyone got a better idea? | 5 | [
{
"body": "Have a standing contest. See how long you can stand perfectly straight without moving. Blinking is okay, but sneezing or coughing requires you to start over!",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "You better boobie trap the house fast before Joe Pesci and his bumbling sidekick get there. Hilarity ensues.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "A lot of people would solve the boredom instead of the \"I'm home\" part, but this is a short term solution. As long as you have a roof over your head, you're going to be bored at some point. Burn down your house and possessions and become a hobo. This way, you will never be bored and always fighting for survival! Bonus points if it's cold where you live. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
AskReddit: How do you get motivated to write? | I want to write. I feel I'm super creative sometimes and think that I could do well as a writer. However the part where I'm motivated to do so is not there. I am sometimes motivated, but at those times I don't have anything on my mind.
What's the key?
**UPDATE** - Thank you, everyone, so much for all the advice. Once again, Reddit has been quite helpful. | 10 | [
{
"body": "[\"When you are going good, stop writing.\"](http://www.secondactive.com/2009/08/boost-your-productivity-with-hemingways.html)",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Well, one thing which I find is important for me is being in a good mood. If you're feeling utterly crappy (although, in some cases, depending on what you're writing about, it can even help), you're not going to do too well.\nAlso, what's very important are those bursts of creativity mostly everyone has. When I write, I don't do it slowly and regularly, at least in the initial phase(devising up the whole thing, without the smoothing of the edges which comes later), but I write large quantities in short amounts of time(relatively).\nThat way you can get a lot of the story done, and later you can smooth everything out even if you're not at your peak motivation.\nBut I digressed here a bit.\n\nWhat's also important is that you care about what you write and that you write about what you know best. Some of the greatest artists wrote about things they knew best. For example, take Huckleberry Finn.\n\nBut basically, there's no strict formula in this case, it all depends.\n\nOh and, a last note. Do know that even if you're not feeling at your maximum, if you just start off, write half a page or such, with each letter you write you get more into it, and trust me, time passes quickly and the pages fill themselves out fast.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
It's my 18th birthday and I had a nervous breakdown in front of my piano teacher today. Help cheer me up, Reddit. | I'm the type that keeps emotions in. I just broke down when I was having a terrible lesson, and she asked me if there was something else that was causing problems for me, and I couldn't hold it in any longer. It's embarassing and I know it happens to everyone, but it doesn't make me feel any better.
I'm really, really stressed out about exams coming up next week. I have five or six chemistry quizzes and assignments to finish by Monday, I got a C on my AP Euro exam today, and I still need to find time to study for Euro and Chem, practice my instruments for Solo and Ensemble, and get to sleep.
I've also got a jazz performance tonight and will be there from at least 6:15 to 9:00, if not longer.
I realize I have it better off than most people. I was accepted to UW Minnesota last week, and I've got a great family who loves me, and it's my birthday, and there is German Chocolate cake in the kitchen. When I put it into perspective, I know it shouldn't be this bad and there are so many people that have it worse than I do. Hell, I have a weekend job. It's just that the recent stress has been building and I'm so so so sick of it all right about now. I just want next week to be over and my finals to be done and I want to get A's in all my classes darn it. :(
Help make me happy. Reddit is a nice place with nice people.
I hope you don't mind that I crossposted this to /r/happy. Sorry. I don't know if that's bad reddiquette to crosspost self posts. | 15 | [
{
"body": "On my 18th birthday I watched a stripper's implant spring a leak while she was giving me a lapdance.\n\n\n\nIt was like my very dreams were deflating before my eyes.\n\n\n\nPicture a young, naive, and mystified ManWithOneRedShoe staring all doe-eyed at an ample bosom, smiling.\n\n\n My friends tell me that my face changed from one of sheer unbridled joy to one of destitute and despair in a matter of seconds.\n\n\n\nNow you may be asking \"why should this depressing story about some strippers tits make me happy?\" \n\n\nWell young DaemonXI, there is a moral in this story; you may be feeling the pressure of life on your 18th birthday, but be happy it's not enough pressure to pop your boob.",
"score": 83
},
{
"body": ">I'm 18, have a weekend job, take piano lessons, going alright at school and it's my birthday!\n\nFuck you man, you should be cheering me up.",
"score": 15
},
{
"body": "You are going to pass all your exams. You are a talented musician. Your family is proud of you. There is cake waiting for you made by someone who loves you. You are now and ADULT! And to boot, you are adorable. :)",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Maybe just take a break? It seems like you are extremely busy, with piano lessons, jazz, school, work. At least the finals will be over next week. When I was in high school and had AP Calc/Bio/History/Eng classes, a job, two sisters to watch while my parents were at work/out and doing w/e they pleased, and taking guitar lessons, it was extremely busy. However, I have always been a busy person and have been able to carry a lot of work at all times. Enough about me; what I mean to say is that, maybe you need to sit down, and see if you can cut out something if you need to. I cut out my work, as I wasn't getting enough hours anyways, and it freed up more time than I had expected. Good luck with whatever you hope to do, and hopefully you cheer up soon. **EDIT: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!**",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Happy birthday DaemonXI! \n\nWhenever I feel overwhelmed by school/work I click on [this picture on my desktop](http://imgur.com/1bVI5.jpg), it was from an article I read once about child labor. I know I hate it when people try to offer \"perspective\" instead of empathy, so just understand that it's not meant to make you feel ashamed, just to help you feel that, if a toddler can carry their own weight in coal naked and bare feet in the hot sun, you can find a way to muster up the resolve/strength to accomplish your goals. And hopefully one of those goals will be to make life a little less unbearable for those less fortunate than us :)",
"score": 3
}
]
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AskReddit: Risk of pregnancy having sex without the pill. | (Throwaway account) My girlfriend and I have been dating 3 years, and are yet to have sex for one and only one reason: fear of pregnancy. Her mother had her when she was 20, and we are not looking to land ourselves in a similar situation. Because of her past, her mother is adamant about no sex before marriage. I know, hypocritical, but she's looking out for her daughter. For this reason, she cannot talk to her mother about the pill; she refuses to budge. I was just wondering what our risk of pregnancy is using only a condom as contraception. I've seen articles saying that they can have up to and even above an 8% failure rate, but almost entirely because of improper use. I'm looking for advice from people who have had sex without the pill. Thanks!
tl;dr What is the risk of pregnancy using a condom as the only form of contraception? | 4 | [
{
"body": "A few things:\r\n\r\n* Sex == Babies. No matter how you do it, there's always a chance.\r\n* Spermicide with condoms has worked quite well for me and my partner, so has the pill.\r\n* Don't ever corner your partner about sex. If she does not want to break the trust she has with her mom - then **don't** push her.\r\n\r\n\r\nI know sex is awesome. That doesn't mean you should lie about it. If thats what you're looking for, hire a hooker.\r\n\r\nSorry for being blunt, but your post sounds a lot like: \"I'm horny, and need a way to convince my girlfriend to have sex with me.\" Which to be honest is wrong on way too many levels.\r\n\r\n*edit: formatting",
"score": 7
}
]
|
DAE have to remind themselves to make eye contact? | I find myself all the time not looking at peoples faces and i need to remind myself mentally to look at their faces and maintain eye contact.
I think deep down my instinctual subconscious imagines it pointless: If your talking to someone what does it matter if you are looking at them or not?
Of course it isn't true by a long shot... | 366 | [
{
"body": "Sort of along the same line of thought, I have to remind myself to get in the right mindset whenever I'm going to be around people - making eye contact, paying attention to what other people have to say, remembering names of people I meet. If I'm not trying, I tend to act in a way most people describe as \"fucking weirdo.\"",
"score": 80
},
{
"body": "Once I notice I am not making eye contact the next dilemma comes up: how much eye contact *should* one make? \n\nNot staring at all makes you look like a liar/uninterested/shy/mentally retarded, but staring for too long is intimidating and scary. Decisions, decisions...",
"score": 32
},
{
"body": "I find it easier to talk to people if Im staring somewhere else, usually a point just beyond their shoulder or something. It used to get me in some trouble because of the whole 'look me in the eye and tell me _____ ...\" thing. Since I rarely did, and had to make myself do it I tended to be accused of hiding something or outright lying a lot. :\\",
"score": 14
},
{
"body": "I have the opposite problem- people often ask why I'm staring at them when we're having a conversation. I usually tell them to stop talking and I'll stop looking at them.",
"score": 11
},
{
"body": "It is important to train yourself to look in peoples eyes when you are talking to them. Don't come off as staring, though. Blink often and you will be fine. Personal example: I had a boss that I would approach to talk to him about something and he'd stare off in the distance and it was so difficult to communicate with him because you really didn't know if you were getting through to him. Moral of the story: Make an effort. Even if your eyes dry out or you look like a \"weirdo\", most people will feel like you actually heard and understand what they told you when you've made eye-contact.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I always had trouble with eye contact, so I started pretending I'm in a staring contest with anyone I talk with, making a point to \"win\" (i.e. they look away first). It's like PUA/Alpha male 101.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Eye contact while contact is still awkward for me... i always look around the room, floor, etc it sucks because I know people notice.\n\nWhat gets me even more is eye contact of people you pass on the street. I never know if im suppose to look at them?? Male or female doesn't matter I always look away. Maybe that should be a separate DAE",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "I have the opposite problem: I feel like I should look away every now and then so people don't think I'm boring a hole into their skull.\n\nI make sure I don't look too intensely, but does it bother anyone if someone looks at your eyes *without* looking away? ",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "YES, ABSOLUTELY! A friend, who at the time I had just met her, told me that I never look at people in the eyes. It was sort of a epiphany because I hadn't noticed and was disgusted at myself. I don't know why I have such trouble with connecting to people in conversations, I always have to keep some kind of emotional distance. I suppose not making eye contact was my way.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "I don't have to REMIND myself anymore, but I used to. Eye contact used to be a big deal for me, and it still kind of is. I study it and pay attention to the way others look at people. In business situations I stand firm and hold direct eye contact depending on who's talking and what's going on. A lot of times I will be talking or listening but completely thinking about where my eyes are looking and where they'll go next.\n\nIt's one of those things I am extremely aware of at all times.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "All the time, it makes me rather uncomfortable but I do it anyway. People don't take me seriously otherwise. ",
"score": 3
}
]
|
The Foresight Exchange and the accuracy of Bayesian prior probabilities estimation. | There is quite an **[interesting discussion taking place in this recent thread](http://www.reddit.com/r/PhilosophyofScience/comments/anxee/scientific_method_just_a_special_case_of_bayes/)** among some of our learned folks about Bayes' Theorem. For those who are not willing or able to comprehend all of the article linked to in that thread, I will try to summarise briefly what it's all about. You may want to skip the following section.
------
Essentially instead of believing or disbelieving in a scientific theory outright, [Bayesianism](http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology-bayesian/) proposes a way where each of us can have a certain "degree of belief" in the theory. It also provides a way to update our degrees of belief based on the results of some new observation or results of an experiment. Some say Bayesianism incorporates the best of the [Popperian program of falsificationism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability) and the [logical positivist goals of verification](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verificationism).
By way of example, suppose you believe in [Santa Claus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus) with a probability, p(A) of 0.1. Now suppose on Christmas Eve you spot a reindeer on your roof. Bayes' Theorem requires you to estimate at least two more probabilities. First, the probability that, if you assume Santa Claus exists, how probable it is that a reindeer will be on your roof on Christmas Eve, p(X|A) (in this case, probably around 1). Second, it requires you to estimate the probability of seeing a reindeer of your roof on Christmas Eve if Santa doesn't exist, p(X|~A) - let's say it's 0.001. Then Bayes prescribes that the probability of your belief in Santa Claus, should be updated in light of the reindeer observation as follows -
p(A|X) = [ p(A) * p(X|A) ] / [ p(X|A) * p(A) + p(X|~A) * (1-p(A)) ]
= (1.0 * 0.1) / (1.0 * 0.1 + 0.001 *[1-0.1])
= .99
So upon seeing a reindeer on your roof on Christmas Eve, you should be supremely confident that Santa Claus exists.
Bayesianism allows you to assign whatever probabilities you like to these numbers (with trivial non-zero requirements) - Bayes theorem just dictates how to update your probabilities on the basis of new evidence. It gives you a way of keeping your beliefs coherent in light of new evidence - it doesn't tell you what to believe. In essence, it's a way to integrate new observations into your personal belief system and to keep everyone "honest".
------------
These three required probabilities of Bayesianism above are known as the *priors* or *prior probabilities*. Just to illustrate how difficult estimating these probabilities accurately is, I wanted to point out a **[website called the Foresight Exchange](http://www.ideosphere.com/)** that has been around forever. The site provides a marketplace for making virtual bets on the probability of certain events occuring. (In the above calculation, these probabilities would represent the entire denominator which equals p(X)). So for example, the market probability that the [Universe will ultimately collapse is 28%](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=Univ). The probability of [successful cold fusion is 10%](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=CFsn). The probability that [humans will achieve immortality by 2050 is 21%](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=Immo). The probability that the [Riemann Hypothesis will be proved by 2020 is 47%](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/ListClaims), and [Goldbach's Conjecture by 2020 is 37%](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=GBch).
The website provides complete bidding history of the market probabilities for active and retired claims. A closer examination of the history for retired claims demonstrates the instability of these probabilities. The probability that [gravitational waves would be detected by 2003](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=GrWv) was over 70% right up until the end of 1999 before collapsing to 0. There was 80% confidence in 2001 and 2002 that the [Higgs Boson would be detected by 2005](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=Higg) but it wasn't. [Human cloning by 2006](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=Clone) was considered more likely than not in 2003. It was widely expected that the [game of Checkers would be solved by 2005](http://www.ideosphere.com/fx-bin/Claim?claim=ChkS) but it wasn't.
So while Bayesianism provides us with a way to maintain a coherent belief system, its accuracy as a tool of consensus might be low. It may be however, the best we've got. | 8 | [
{
"body": ">So while Bayesianism provides us with a way to maintain a coherent belief system, its accuracy as a tool of consensus might be low. It may be however, the best we've got.\n\nExactly. A lot of it falls into the realm of chaos theory. In that, the initial conditions (priors) will make unusually large impacts on the conditional probabilities. [Anna Salomon makes the case](http://www.overcomingbias.com/2009/02/share-likelihood-ratios-not-posterior-beliefs.html) that we should be sharing likelihood ratios instead of conditional probabilities, which I agree with.\n\nDon't think that you will get far with people who aren't used to this type of discussion however.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "> These three required probabilities of Bayesianism above are known as the priors or prior probabilities.\n\nNot really. Usually, what is meant by \"prior\" is just P(A). P(A|X) would be posterior P. P(X|A) and P(X|~A) form the likelihood ratio of the observation with respect to A.\n\nAs Andrew points out, these likelihood ratios matter most, as they describe the \"weight\" of the evidence.\n\nAnother small nitpick: prior probability is also conditional on current stack of observations. After updating on evidence, posterior P becomes prior P, and the prior we had can be forgotten.\n\nOther than that, it's a good summary, even though you assigned 30 decibels to existence of Santa after spotting a reindeer on your roof :)",
"score": 3
}
]
|
IAmA 21 year old guy who has been in over 50 mental hospitals / jails / homeless shelters / group homes / homes. | I have spent most of my childhood in institutions my mom put me in. It started when I was 10 when my mom called the cops who put me in a youth shelter in Nevada. Since then I was sent to one institution after another only spending at most 3-6 months at home in between.
The states that this happened in were Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Texas. They were mostly mental hospitals and group homes.
I believe the reason my mom did this is because she has a mental disorder called Münchausen syndrome by proxy. It means she sends her kids to hospitals to get sympathy for being a "good parent". Which she enjoyed very much when she went to meetings and stuff. It was her entire life for 8 years.
When I turned 18 she had no use for me so she dropped me off at a homeless shelter then when i came back home she had me arrested and eventually got a restraining order on me.
I now live on SSI disability.
Ask me anything.
| 91 | [
{
"body": "My advice is to get Dr Dre to make some sick beats for you, and work your way up the freestyle battling scene. ",
"score": 38
},
{
"body": "How is your relationship with your mom today? Has any psychiatrist detected any particular behavior in your psyche?\n\nWish you all the best and thank you for sharing with us.",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "How old were you when you found out that she was mentally ill? How did you find out, and how was she able to conceal her own illness? Were you ever diagnosed with anything, did you buy it at the time or later, and did it affect your own identity or self-perception at all? Thanks for the IAMA, too, and good luck to you. ",
"score": 12
},
{
"body": "Wow, man, that's harsh.\nBut how did that even happen to you? I mean, surely a parent can't just do such a thing to a child only on his word? Why didn't anything seem a bit suspicious to people?\nI'm not that familiar with how that whole medicine system works, but I don't think that one can just send a child off to an institution.\n\nScary.",
"score": 10
},
{
"body": "I'm really worried my mom is doing this to my little sister. While i do think my sister has some minor, and entirely manageable issues, my mother's treatment is making her worse. A lot of the stuff my mother does with my little sister sound eerily similar to what you went through. I'm worried about her level of self-esteem, and what it must be doing to her self-image to be told over and over again that she's mentally ill, and destined to behave the way she has been. \n\nMy mom also tried to get me diagnosed and medicated for a whole assortment of issues like ADHD, bi-polar, and chronic depression. All complete bullshit BTW; there's a difference between being a moody teenager that doesnt give a shit about school, and someone that is mentally ill (well, sort of). I have a 4.1 GPA at a major research university right now, so none of those things were true at all. I started out at a junior college, too, so there is hope for you yet! stick with it. Shit gets very, very hard, overcoming the warped self-image takes a lot of work. But it'll be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. \n\nWhat would you recommend to help my little sister?",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "I have never heard anything like this before. Dude, where do you stay? Do you work? What about school?",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "No questions, but I wanted to give you http://www.arachnoid.com/psychology/aspergers.php .\n\nEdit: Why the downvotes? This is an interesting article about a family where the woman has Munchausen by Proxy. I thought the OP would be interested.",
"score": 6
},
{
"body": "Was the ever any discovery of a viable mental issue/illness or whatever on your part? Do you feel mentally healthy?",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I do not have any real questions because I am finding it hard to comprehend.\n\nI will say that good on you for trying to pull your life around. Good luck with everything.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Wouldn't you be owed some sort of financial payback for getting medically treated wrongly for so long?",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "In her mind, are all of your problems real? Do you think that when she's on her deathbed she will ask for forgiveness or say that she did all that she could for you? Do you have any sympathy for her?",
"score": 3
}
]
|
I'm not pregnant and my boyfriend is not aware. Where do I go from here reddit? | Backstory:
So earlier /r/shittyadvice told me to not use protection during intercourse for the utmost satisfaction. My boyfriend and I had been worrying that I could be pregnant since my period hadn't started. It just started this morning and I haven't told him yet. What do you think I should tell him reddit?
EDIT: Please do not respond with something "clever" along the lines of, "But...robots can't be impregnated!"
EDIT 2: My insurance does not cover abortion. it does cover co-payment for methods for birth control though. | 9 | [
{
"body": "Tell him you will never have an abortion then run away break up with him and never see him again. 10 years later tell him that you were just kidding ",
"score": 9
},
{
"body": "So, based on your phrasing, it appears that because your boyfriend is not aware you are not pregnant, he thinks you *are* pregnant. For a fun practical joke, take your own life. He will think he just lost a child as well as a girlfriend, but the joke's on him when the autopsy comes around ;)",
"score": 6
}
]
|
Thought Expirement: You are forced to worship something! | Premise: You live in an alternate universe, exactly like this one, but you are required, under penalty of death, to select an object of worship. It can be absolutely *anything*. It is totally a private, you can't gain the approval or disapproval of others by what you choose. You have to build a shrine to it, and spend at least one hour per week in some form of mindfulness, meditation, or worship to it. This has to be a new and totally seperate activity, not part of your normal routine now.
So, what do you choose? What kind of shrine do you build? What are your rituals? Have fun! :)
Oh, yeah, you have to stick with your chosen object for at least 5 years, so choose wisely!! | 10 | [
{
"body": "Joe Pesci, because Joe Pesci seems like a guy that can get shit done.\n\n(Thank you George...I miss you still.)",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "Air. My shrine is everywhere and I worship it every time I engage in the ritual inhale and exhale. Upon death part of my body will be converted in to the stuff of air and you will breathe me.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I'd worship the sun. By sunbathing butt nekid and dancing erotically on my front lawn. That aught to get people to reconsider this weekly worship rule pretty quick.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
Anyone else find Jackie Tyler incredibly sexy in "Love and Monsters"? | That seen where she comes on to Elton, that was pretty damn hot. If I were Elton I totally would have gone for her instead of Moaning Myrtle.
In other episodes Jackie was pretty damn annoying, but in this one episode, yowza.
I've always felt bad that Elton never made it up to her, saying something like "Yes, I started out trying to find the Doctor, but I've gotten to know you now, and I don't care about him any more, honestly." But he didn't feel that way and she just got betrayed and he really was just using her (even if he did like her as a friend, he still was just using her). :-(
Oh, how I'd like to go do a few odd jobs around her kitchen, if you know what I mean. | 7 | [
{
"body": ">Oh, how I'd like to go do a few odd jobs around her kitchen, if you know what I mean.\n\nNo I do not think I know what you mean, please explain\n\n\n",
"score": 3
}
]
|
HAE Never "Sharted" and have no idea why people talk about it so much? | I've never farted then squirted, sprayed, or leaked shit into my underwear. I have not a clue why this sounds so common. Do people just not have anus control?
| 23 | [
{
"body": "I absolutely hate when this happens to me. I'm thinking that it's just a tiny fart, no smell or noise, when liquid comes out. Yech. Worse feeling than getting kicked in the balls.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "Because its a shitty thing to have happen. Hahaha, I'm a girl and just the idea of it makes me giggle like a kid. No one *means* to do it, its an accident. The reason people talk about it is because it is generally surrounded by a hilarious story of the shenanigans the sharter had to pull in order to get safely home and clean. For example: my friend had her neighbor over and he said he could light a fart on fire. As he was sitting on the couch next to her he lifted his leg, grabbed a lighter and went for it. But he sharted accidentally, instead. It dripped onto his shorts, then the blanket - he was utterly silent. He squeaked \"Don't tell *anyone*\" and ran out with her blanket wrapped around his waist. When she tells this story, she had everyone laughing (no names mentioned, of course). Its like telling any embarrassing story really. ",
"score": 5
}
]
|
What Shirts have connected you with other people? | For example, I've had some pretty interesting reactions to a Joy Division shirt of mine. A father in his mid 30s started reminiscing about buying their first album, while most people just try to figure out WTF the shirt's about.
Anyways, does Reddit have any interesting stories in connection with shirts? :) | 5 | [
{
"body": "When I was 17, I met my bestest bff.\n\nHe wore a \"Throwing Muses\" Tshirt.\n\nAfter seeing him wear it a few times, I had to ask him \"dude, what the fuck is throwing muses?\"\n\nTo which he replied \"they're a band, they hang out with the Pixies\".\n\nAnd the rest is legend.\n\n",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "I go out of my way to talk to other people wearing Grateful Dead T shirts. I've met some really cool fellow DeadHeads thanks to their and my T-shirt wearing.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "At a flaming lips concert, a lady was wearing the same shirt as me (the three keyboard cats howling at the moon shirt) ,and we had a really good conversation until I tried to get her to buy me a beer.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
How would Muslims react if they saw the face of Mohammad in a piece of toast? | Since they seem to be extremely sensitive over depictions of Mohammad, offensive or not, how would they react if someone claimed to see his face on a slice of toast or some other object? | 6 | [
{
"body": "There is no \"face of Mohammad\" to a Muslim. It is against their religion to depict the Prophet in any form. This is why all the fuss about the Dutch cartoonists who had the *NERVE* to \"illustrate\" the Almighty Prophet of Allah.",
"score": 11
}
]
|
Dealing with the recent rash of hackers. | Some new hack must have been recently released as all of a sudden they have come out of the woodwork. There was a blatant speedhacker on central/east who we were unable to voteban. The system could certainly use some work and more options to contact admins would be greatly appreciated.
For reference here's the hackers steam ID. There are 21 other people who can vouch for me:
Professional TF2 Player" STEAM_0:0:24261525 | 13 | [
{
"body": "I am an admin on e/c. \n\nNext time, take a demo, so we can know for sure. Also, it is helpful to post in the IRC channel at #tf2.reddit on irc.gamesurge.net. There are usually a few admins in there to help. Feel free to message me on steam as well (I go by mrhomer there too).\n\nLastly, /r/rugc is the more acceptable place to post this, that is the subreddit for server stuff.\n\nAll that said, I'll see what can be done about this guy.",
"score": 7
},
{
"body": "He was on Chicago server earlier; not sure for how long but I kicked him within 2 minutes of getting on. I meant to ban him but instinctively kicked him instead. Will ban.\n\n**EDIT** Now banned on Chicago",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "What is the point of hacking in TF2?\n\n I suppose I can understand hacking in games where you get items based on skills but all the drops in TF2 are random. Even the milestones are very easy to aquire, you would have to suck pretty hard to not get them after a few hours of play.",
"score": 4
}
]
|
Ask Reddit Fitness Help losing weight more quickly | Hey Fitness Guru's I need some help.
I set a deadline for losing some weight (february 8th) because I am going away for work, and I need to fit into my suit.
I'm on the weigh watchers diet (for about 8months) and excersising around 45minutes of cardio 5 days a week, but I am not hitting my goals, I need some help, what can I do ?
Do those fat burning pills work ? any advice you've got is much appreciated !
Edit for extra info
31yr old Male, 200lbs, trying to lose that last 15pounds or so.\
**EDIT2** Thanks for the tips so far, really great stuff, I should have mentioned I do some weights now, but not a lot, I've been focusing on the Cardio.I didn't realize it was so beneficial to my weight loss. I'll be upping the intensity.
| 3 | [
{
"body": "How tall are you? 15lbs in less than a month is pretty unlikely without a PSMF.\n\nCut your calories down to 700 below maintenance, get most of it from protein, very little from carbs, and do HIITs and a weightlifting routine.\n\nI doubt you'll get 15lbs in that time, but aim for it anyways and get 10lbs off.",
"score": 8
},
{
"body": "Strength training.\n\nGo to stronglifts.com and follow what he tells ya. Cardio alone is not as efficient as lifting and cardio.",
"score": 5
},
{
"body": "HIIT and a weight routine.\n\nYour body burns calories maintaining the muscle you build, so do not skimp on the weight routine.",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "Cardio alone is nearly useless for weight loss. 15 pounds is too much for 1 month if you already lost water weight. You're going to have to cut calories to 1200/day minimum (as in at least 1200 a day). Lower the time of exercise but increase intensity. Don't take any \"fat burner pills\", instead drink a crap load of green tea. Eliminate all soda, even diet, replace with tea and water. Start weight training 5 days on, 2 days off. Some people hate personal trainers but they can give you a difficult but rewarding workout for a month and teach you form. You may gain weight initially but if you really work out hard with your strength training you should lose more total weight than you gain. Don't workout too hard or you will burn out or hurt yourself. Don't take any of this as medical advice.",
"score": 3
}
]
|
[9] "Macaroni and Cheese" | {5:45pm. Journal, part ii}
Here I sit. Eyes closed. Ears open. Waves of sound cascading around my too-small bedroom. The blues music pours through my soul, leaving ripples and waves of emotion. A steaming-hot bowl of homemade macaroni and cheese sits before me, taunting me with its delicate aromas.
That dinner took me two hours to make. Four kinds of hand-grated cheeses. Jalapeño peppers diced impossibly small. The finest macaroni noodles I could find, pre-boiled to perfection. The layer of Ritz crackers carefully laid out on top. The baking. The waiting.
But here it was. Finally done. Got my big ol' bowl of it right here. Before diving in to this bowl of perfection, though, I'm taking a pause to recall the same feeling that has been in my soul as far as I can remember. A moment of silence, a moment of thought, a moment of anticipation.
My macaroni n'cheese recipe has been in my family for years, and with age comes perfection. The Great Addition of the Jalapeño in 1976, for instance, nearly caused the family to be torn apart (it's only called the "Great" addition because the pro-Jalapeño-adders won, the anti-Jalapeños would have picked a different adjective). We take it seriously.
And so, that delicious smell of perfection has been with me my entire life, taking me home no matter where I am on this Earth. I pause to remember that smell not just because of its wonderful aroma, but to look back on my entire life all at once.
I've come a long way since I first smelled the Family Recipe. Elementary school. Middle school. High school, college, and a Master's. Traveled around the world. Settled in the next state over from my home, close to the state line. Got a job. Got a house. Replaced the stove and oven to the newest, most precise models money could buy. All for that damn Recipe.
That smell leaking through my nostrils represents the pain and torment my family has caused me.
For my bowl of macaroni and cheese had a different smell. One slightly sweeter. Slightly saltier. Slightly more...meaty. I smile as I recognize that wonderful aroma amongst the others, for although that smell is the reason for all the pain, it is also a kind reminder of what truly makes me happy.
Bacon.
"But, Mom! If you added crumbled-up bacon, it will taste even *better*!" The stares of utter shock are still imprinted in my brain. But I was convinced. The mac n'cheese lacked meat, and bacon is the perfection of meat! The dish should have bacon in it!
It started with gentle teasing. "Hey, bacon-breath!" It got nastier. The smell of rotting bacon in your laundry hamper, may I learn you, is *not* a pleasant smell. Bacon soap. Gradually, the tricks became threats, and the threats became violence.
But it was my bold decision on the Thanksgiving Day Tragedy of 2005 that caused the crack in the sidewalk to become a bottomless chasm, never to be crossed again. I was in charge of making the Family Macaroni and Cheese, as the oldest grandkid that hadn't turned 18 (afterwards, grown-ups rarely made their own Batches, unless they had a special occasion).
That morning, our breakfast consisted of bacon and eggs ("See, dummy? Bacon goes with *eggs*, not Our Mac and Cheese"). Unbeknownst to my brothers and sisters, I had pocketed the bacon into plastic bags in my pockets as soon as I got them ("Hey! Dummy over there already ate all his bacon! Ha!").
When the Time came to begin, I began working the stove and oven as I was supposed to. I diced the Jalapeños as fine as I could. Pre-boiled the macaroni to perfection. Grated the sharp cheddar, the mild cheddar, parmesan, the romano cheeses up, spritzing the grater with oil to keep the cheese from sticking. In my proudest moment, I took that bacon out, fried them crisp again, crumbled them up, and tossed the bacon pieces in the mix.
I smirked as I put the dish in the oven. 350 degrees Farenheit. 30 minutes. And then, as that little egg timer went off, I opened the oven door to the most beautiful scent I have ever known. That of my family's Recipe. With bacon.
They knew instantly.
That smell caused them to wrinkle their noses first in confusion, then in outrage. I watched as they mouthed terrible words, unable to speak. There was no time to create a Proper Family Recipe before the meal. There was nothing that they could do. They would either have to eat *my* Macaroni and Cheese or go hungry. I had won.
My family, enraged at this act of treason, decided we would eat the dish anyway, to my great delight. As it cooled, I sat in the same way I do now: hunched over, hands cupped around my face, breathing in that wonderful scent.
Alone.
My family hated the taste. Said, "Macaroni and Cheese should not have meat!" "This texture is all wrong!" "You don't put bacon in Macaroni and Cheese, nimrod!" I sat there, stunned, listening this cacophony of angered voices crashing through my brain.
I sat there, hunched over, eyes closed, listening to my family excommunicate me, that wonderful smell still lingering in my nostrils. I sat there, taking the abuse, taking the hatred, crying big salty tears into my dinner. All I could think about if I was adding too much salt to the mix.
I sit here, listening to the crying anguish of a steel guitar playing the blues, wondering the same question. I open my eyes to look down at my slightly watered-down bowl of homemade mac and cheese. I decide to give the mixture a try just like I did as a little boy; hesitantly, I pick up my spoon and take a small bite.
It is cold.
| 39 | [
{
"body": "This is a beautiful piece of writing, and you should be proud.\n\nMy family too has a macaroni recipe; one with tomato sauce and herbs and the sharpest of cheddars. There has always been a feud between those who would use tomato juice, boiled to make it thicker, or those who just use the canned sauce directly.\n\nYour post brought back memories of sitting at my Grandma's house on a warm summer day eating macaroni and then playing in the backyard.\n\nThanks :-)",
"score": 13
},
{
"body": "Soooo aaaah, you gonna share that recipe? It technically wouldn't be giving away a family recipe... since there is bacon. I fully support your bacon-y addition.",
"score": 4
},
{
"body": "Man, this made me cry. It's like my family bolognaise. \"Bolognaise shouldn't be f**king spicy\". Yes. Yes it should.\n[10]",
"score": 3
},
{
"body": "God damn. You are a wizard with your words, sir. As an avid eater of mac and cheese, I would greatly appreciate you posting your recipe!",
"score": 3
}
]
|
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