Annoying Questions I'd Like Answered...

sabs · Post by **sabs** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 2:04 pm

The people who make it big out of nowhere.. have had a series of luck that cannot be easily replicated. And almost universally, if they were poor, they had someone who was rich invest in them.

Or they had some kind of genetic talent that cannot be 'taught'

They were amazingly beautiful, with a lot of charisma (actors/models)
They could sing, or dance at a level that no amount of training can get you to, if you don't have the genetics to back it up. Or they could write, or had an amazing amount of charisma.

Very few scientists get filthy rich, usually it's the rich people who fund their research when it's 20 years from being useful, or swoop in after the government has footed the bill that make the money.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:10 pm

Kaelik wrote: Every everyman argument is fucking dumb. Why do you have to couple a correct argument with a dumb one?

All right, I'll bite. Why is it fucking dumb? I can see how that argument could be valid but I'd like your take on it. Shit on my cheerios all you want.

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:25 pm

Cynic wrote:
Kaelik wrote: Every everyman argument is fucking dumb. Why do you have to couple a correct argument with a dumb one?
All right, I'll bite. Why is it fucking dumb? I can see how that argument could be valid but I'd like your take on it. Shit on my cheerios all you want.

All everyman arguments are based on the stupid idea that people's actions determine their face independent of the circumstances they are made in.

This is definitionally true because everyman arguments can't take into account circumstances without no longer being about everymen, and instead being about specific people.

So fuck everyman arguments, in which you talk about how the reason Wal Mart does stupid wasteful manipulative things is "more complex" than that Capitalism incentivizes it, and we need to consider the everyman.

Fuck no, it's that simple, and if we want to fix anything, we had damn well better change the incentives.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:01 am

Okay. I can accept that.

But your argument that there need to be better incentives can be used in favor of groups such as Walmart watch who push Walmart/etc... to provide for these better incentives.

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:31 am

Cynic wrote:But your argument that there need to be better incentives can be used in favor of groups such as Walmart watch who push Walmart/etc... to provide for these better incentives.

Um... What?

My argument can be used in favor of who for what?

No really, what the fuck does any of that mean?

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:00 am

Ok, let me try to be clearer.

Your point was that to have Walmart stop wasteful manipulative things was to offer better incentives so that Walmart would not do so. I wanted to point out that, ideally, groups like Walmart Watch exist to protest against these wasteful things and thus to push for better incentives. I don't know how they would push for better incentives as this is just me speaking in a general sense rather than specifically about Walmart Watch.

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:28 am

Cynic wrote:Ok, let me try to be clearer.

Your point was that to have Walmart stop wasteful manipulative things was to offer better incentives so that Walmart would not do so. I wanted to point out that, ideally, groups like Walmart Watch exist to protest against these wasteful things and thus to push for better incentives. I don't know how they would push for better incentives as this is just me speaking in a general sense rather than specifically about Walmart Watch.

Okay... so?

I mean, I assume that there are also people who vote Democrat. Why would you think I oppose them exactly?

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:02 pm

It might have come out as me saying that you oppose them. That wasn't the intent. It was a general response to the ongoing discussion on the topic. Again,

Ted the Flayer · Post by **Ted the Flayer** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:02 am

Here's a question. What's a good way to determine how much stuff is worth? I'm trying to get rid of all the furniture before I move, and I want to get a decent price, but not so "decent" that I can't sell the crap.

hyzmarca · Post by **hyzmarca** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:16 am

Ted the Flayer wrote:Here's a question. What's a good way to determine how much stuff is worth? I'm trying to get rid of all the furniture before I move, and I want to get a decent price, but not so "decent" that I can't sell the crap.

Find out what other people are selling similar stuff for in whatever venue you're using.

If you're auctioning on ebay, for example, use their search completed listings function. If you're selling at a flea market, look around and see what other people are selling their stuff for (note, prices will drop drastically the later and hotter it becomes).

Ted the Flayer · Post by **Ted the Flayer** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:24 am

I'll check it out. I have a dresser, some shitty particle board crap which I intend to sell for next to nothing to get rid of it, a bed, and an ugly-ass couch that I hate. Although out of all of that, the dresser and the bed are most likely the only things worth anything.

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:56 am

Note: I don't have a time machine. I probably don't need this disclaimer, seeing as:
A) If I did, I would have gone back and given it to myself in the past so I always would have had it, and I would have basically "taken 20" on everything I ever did and fucked with the lottery etc. do have the perfect life, and also the world would be rather different. Fox News would be replaced with a lesbian/soft porn channel, for starters.
B) Time machines aren't real*.

Anyway. If I went back or forwards in time a few hundred years, would I or those around me be at risk to viral infections even worse than if I suddenly flew to Mozambique or whatever? I mean, I have modern eating habits a terrible parody of modern eating habits, and vitamin supplements, etc. So would I be immune to puny 15th century bacteria or would I in fact be unprepared for the weird things that existed then that had yet to evolve into what I am resistant to now? Likewise would I basically be spreading the next plague, given modern people are probably covered in bacteria that we're all immune to thanks to catching colds every year or two, but are just waiting for non-immune people to annihilate? And if I went forwards, basically vice versa?

*With the exception of watches, I guess, but they just measure time, they don't change the speed at which you experience it.

Whipstitch · Post by **Whipstitch** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:29 am

You're overthinking this; just go to the '70s first and steal Travolta's bubble.

hyzmarca · Post by **hyzmarca** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:37 am

Koumei wrote:Note: I don't have a time machine. I probably don't need this disclaimer, seeing as:
A) If I did, I would have gone back and given it to myself in the past so I always would have had it, and I would have basically "taken 20" on everything I ever did and fucked with the lottery etc. do have the perfect life, and also the world would be rather different. Fox News would be replaced with a lesbian/soft porn channel, for starters.
B) Time machines aren't real*.

Anyway. If I went back or forwards in time a few hundred years, would I or those around me be at risk to viral infections even worse than if I suddenly flew to Mozambique or whatever? I mean, I have modern eating habits a terrible parody of modern eating habits, and vitamin supplements, etc. So would I be immune to puny 15th century bacteria or would I in fact be unprepared for the weird things that existed then that had yet to evolve into what I am resistant to now? Likewise would I basically be spreading the next plague, given modern people are probably covered in bacteria that we're all immune to thanks to catching colds every year or two, but are just waiting for non-immune people to annihilate? And if I went forwards, basically vice versa?

*With the exception of watches, I guess, but they just measure time, they don't change the speed at which you experience it.

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical professional and there's a chance that everything I'm about to say is wrong. Someone who knows better can correct me.

In terms of general bacteria, you're not going to have any problems. The problem with bacteria is anti-biotic resistance, which modern bacteria evolve because we made wide spread use of anti-biotics in just about everything, including soap.

The great thing about the 15th century is that they have no clue what anti-biotics are. They don't even know what germs are. They're not using drugs to cure their diseases. They're cutting each other to balance their humors. So you're not going to meet many antibiotic resistant bacteria in the distant past and it doesn't matter one but if you bring anything with you.

If you get sick you can come back to the present and get treatment.

That being said, you're more likely to get bacterial and parasitic infections in the past for one important reason, their sanitation is practically nonexistent. For the love of all that is holy do not drink the water. Do not eat anything, either. And try to avoid shaking anyone's hands. But especially don't drink the water, not unless you boil it first.

Viruses can present a problem, though. Flu vaccines change every year for a reason. You won't have anti-bodies for the 15th century strains and they won't have anti-bodies for the modern strains. You probably won't start a plague, probably, but I'd recommend that you avoid going if you're sick. And get up-to-date vaccinations. If you're not sick then you probably won't spread it. Still, it is possible that you'll cause a major flu epidemic, not likely, but possible.

Your biggest problem is the really nasty bugs that simply don't exist int he developed world anymore. You probably won't be vaccinated against them, and it'll be difficult for modern doctors to diagnose them. Most think horses, not zebras, and unless you well them that you've time traveled to the 15th century (or lie about visiting Africa, I guess) then there is little chance that you'll be properly diagnosed.

Don't drink the water.

Getting a smallpox vaccine is a good idea. Getting the whole spectrum of I'm visiting a third-world shithole vaccines is a good idea.

And don't drink the water.

RobbyPants · Post by **RobbyPants** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:55 am

Also, don't drink the water.

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that there was a lot of weak-beer drinking going on back then because it was unsafe to drink the water.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:33 pm

Koumei wrote:Fox News would be replaced with a lesbian/soft porn channel, for starters.

You could probably start a petition for that. Hell, tell the foxnews people that they could then claim even more controversialness for their "facts" because "the liberal media has brainwashed people to prefer 'smut' to 'real news'" and they may sign it themselves.

hyzmarca wrote: That being said, you're more likely to get bacterial and parasitic infections in the past for one important reason, their sanitation is practically nonexistent. For the love of all that is holy do not drink the water. Do not eat anything, either. And try to avoid shaking anyone's hands. But especially don't drink the water, not unless you boil it first.

And don't fuck anyone.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:39 pm

"People were a lot less radioactive back then."

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:40 pm

"Medical Loads: One to repel the disgusting infections they live with daily, one to kill the disgusting infections you live with daily."

Maj · Post by **Maj** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:32 pm

Is Netflix really suffering so much that they took away people's ability to put their accounts on hold?

Now, if you're planning on going on vacation for a month and you want to hold your account while you're away, you have to actually cancel your membership. And since your membership isn't actually canceled until the end of the billing month, unless the day you're leaving coincides with the end of your billing month, you're either going to be left with no services until you resubscribe at the end of your vacation, or you're going to be paying for service you can't use while you're gone.

Awesome!

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:55 pm

They may be figuring that by now everyone with netflix has one or more of: laptop, smartphone or tablet, and thus few people will actually put their account on hold for a vacation, accurate or not.

name_here · Post by **name_here** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:29 pm

Netflix is really getting kind of fucked these days. You see, the companies that actually produce movies have decided they want to use their own methods of online distribution or just hate online distribution period, and it's much easier to get people to use horrible online services by withholding content from other sources than to make not-shitty online services. Just ask EA, though they haven't met with much success.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:28 am

The neighbour has chickens which they allow to roam the front yard, which means they roam our front yard as well.

Our cat is an outdoor cat, and the chickens steal his food (to be fair, the chickens are the size of the cat, so I don't really blame him for being wary). Does anyone know of a way to deter chickens which won't deter my cat from the porch where his food is?

erik · Post by **erik** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:30 am

I'd think it wouldn't be too difficult to set something up that the cat can get into easily whilst making it inconvenient for the chickens to get at it.

Say putting a little shelter needing a 2-3' jump up to get into an opening a bit bigger than a chicken body (since they'll need to spread their wings to get up that high, making it a tougher fit).

Basically a pet carrier strapped onto a cheap end table.

This:

Strapped onto this:

Or on top of a box or whatever.

Could just run a cardboard tube leading into a pet carrier so the cat can squeeze in but chickens can't. Or would chickens peck the shit out of cardboard?

I have had the more daunting task of having to put food out for a little cat so that she could eat and prevent her 2 bigger cat roommates who had not yet warmed up to her from taking her food in addition to theirs. Vexing chickens compared to that ought be easy.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:46 am

Well, at the moment, the food is on the table out there, since I figure the chickens will have a harder time getting up there, but I just realized that we have a potting bench out there that he likes to lie under, which the chickens can't get under, so I'll probably just start sliding his food under there and see how it goes. Thanks, your idea could work too, though my cat freaks when he sees cat carriers, so maybe I'll try it with a cat tree or the like.

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:01 am

Keeping in mind that I'm a bit of a bitch, here is my suggestion: