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ProdigalFrog

@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net

A frog who wants the objective truth about anything and everything.

Admin of SLRPNK.net

XMPP: prodigalfrog@slrpnk.net

Matrix: @prodigalfrog:matrix.org

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. For a complete list of posts, browse on the original instance.

ProdigalFrog ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Florisboard is a good one.

The Pentel Sharp Kerry - The last word in Mechanical Pencils. ( slrpnk.net )

I've never been one to write things down by hand, generally preferring to use a word processor instead. But recently I've been wanting to improve my handwriting, and I've been reading that there appears to be some merit to the idea that taking physical notes improves retention of whatever you're trying to learn or remember....

ProdigalFrog OP Mod ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Nothing wrong with a battle scar. :)

The Henson Safety Razor, a nearly 1-to-1 replacement for disposable razors, with all the environmental benefits of a regular safety razor, and certifiably BIFL ( slrpnk.net )

When I became more environmentally conscious many years ago, I decided to switch to a safety razor to reduce plastic waste. I landed on a reputable safety razor with a 'mild' angle, something that would be good for sensitive skin. Even with a good shaving soap, I found that I would regularly still get some discomfort from razor...

Magnesium Oxide Delivers More Magnesium with Far Fewer Pills and Lower Cost ( www.algaecal.com )

This was a fascinating article about how the cheapest form of Magnesium is actually the most useful form. In my own experimentation, I can confirm that magnesium oxide (or Hydroxide) works just as well as any other form of magnesium I've taken, at a fraction of the cost.

Strikebreaking and Intimidation: Mercenaries and Masculinity in twentieth-century America - Norwood, Stephen H. 1951 ( archive.org )

Using a social-historical approach, the author focuses on the mercenaries the corporations enlisted in their anti-union efforts and considers the paramilitary methods unions developed to counter them. The book also traces the economic restructuring which transformed corporate anti-unionism

ProdigalFrog Mod ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Looking into it; depending on how much time you contribute, you apparently would share in the profit of the store.

https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/0b5f6cee-c4fd-431c-ac8a-433e882dd8cb.webp

It also appears to be taking steps to prevent drop shippers from plaguing the platform like Etsy suffers from, and ensure everything is actually handmade. Personally I like what they're going for, but I'm not a seller.

ProdigalFrog ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

I'm of the same mind. My entire region lost internet the other day, so I was reduced to my mobile data, which was quite expensive to use with the plan I was on ($5 per GB). Being forced to be acutely aware of my data consumption, the sheer inefficiency of video became glaringly apparent. While it's possible to lower the video quality, it's still something I had to look at sparingly, but as you say, so much interesting stuff is only in that format.

Maybe the issue is that we struggle to find purely textual resources of the sorts of topics that video creators fulfill? Or is there truly just less people writing long-form textual stuff in a world that rewards video formats more than text?

One thing that is perhaps more difficult to convey in text is personality. Without a really strong grasp of how to convey your tone, spontaneity, your whole person in text, it's probably harder to connect with people over the wire. Video just makes it so much easier to feel like you 'know' someone, or appreciate someone's way of conveying information. A lot of creators I watch, I watch because of that, and something would absolutely be lost if it was a text article.

But still, having it as a secondary option, for times when you prefer it, or to more easily search for specific things within it, would be rather nice.

ProdigalFrog Mod ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

The culture here really is something special. Its a breath of fresh air compared to most places I've been on the net, and that alone is quite compelling to keep me coming back.

ProdigalFrog OP ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Most people do not have the luxury of turning down a job offer, as the alternative is hunger and homelessness, which the employer uses as leverage to underpay their employee.

If housing and basic food staples were a human right (free) only then would you see fair wages in the open market, as people would have the option to turn down unfair jobs, forcing the employer to make them fair or hire no one.

ProdigalFrog OP ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Well, for one; Wages keeping up with inflation and productivity would go a long way to being more fair.

But I'm curious why you're asking me what is fair, I already laid that out in my second paragraph in my previous comment. As I said, if the absolute basics to living were freely available, people would be free to reject unfair offers, and thus, in a theoretical 'free market' wages and benefits would increase to a truly fair and equal level.

ProdigalFrog OP ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

How do you respond to criticism that it is not fair to forcefully take money via taxes and spend them setting up standard of living for someone else?

It wouldn't be for someone else, it would be for everyone. Most people are okay with the idea of Universal Basic Income, because everyone gets it, even the rich, it's fair.

Imagine applying that universal concept, but to food and shelter. It would not only help the most destitute, but also the innovators. Research has shown that people are more willing to risk becoming entrepreneurs in Canada due to healthcare not being tied to employment. Imagine if we took away the risk of homelessness and malnutrition from not working for someone else? Hundreds of thousands would now be in a beautiful position to start their own business with far less risk to their, or their families, well being.

I would also place emphasis on the Basic part of Basic Necessities. It would only be feasible to provide just the most economical basics, which would mean a small square footage dwelling (think large apartment blocks, cheap to build, but efficient to heat and maintain), running water, electricity (with a kwh power-limit per month, anything over that would cost money), internet since it's a required utility in the modern age, and core/cheap but nutritious staple foods. We're not talking luxury apartments and food here.

(Personally, I would argue Universal Basic Income is not viable within our current system, as that extra money would be quickly siphoned out of everyone's pocket by increased rent and artificial price increases all around to capture this extra capital that would be floating around. It could only work if there were limits on rent and other basic necessities).

A test drive in a pre-production Altera, a 3-wheeled EV with Solar Panels built into the body, a supposed 1000 mile range, and a 25K price tag ( www.youtube.com )

Though I'm not a fan of car focused infrastructure, I have to admit I'm fairly impressed with this little thing. If the range ends up being accurate and they become obtainable for the stated price, this seems like a decent stop-gap for American travel.

ProdigalFrog ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

I think there could be a place for that, but the sidebar for this community does say 'When you need a laugh', so maybe we could create another community for that kind of meme?

ProdigalFrog ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

The term 'punk' has a specific meaning, but for some genres is used inappropriately. There's not really any 'punk' in steampunk or dieselpunk, but the term is appropriate for cyber and solarpunk, which are both ideas of how an individual can rebel against the control of a state or authoritative machine by using its own technology against them.

Cyberpunk assumes the world continues down the road of consolidation and hypercapitalism, where as Solarpunk is hopeful that we can rebel against the cyberpunk future, and that individual change can bring about a future worth living in.

Solarpunk could almost be described as Techno-Anarchism, embracing technology (especially green tech) to liberate the individual and the world.

The Flowfold - A thin, durable wallet made in Maine from recycled sail cloth ( slrpnk.net )

For most of my life, I'd used cheap leather wallets from places like Walmart and Kmart. Even with a small amount of cash and a few cards, I always felt they were quite bulky, and within a couple years would start to become frayed and tattered looking....

ProdigalFrog OP Mod ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

Ah, darn.
Well, considering it's thin and recycled, 6 years+ of use is acceptable. But If you've happened to find anything that's comparably thin but lasts even longer, I'd be interested to switch once mine wears out.

ProdigalFrog OP Mod ,
@ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net avatar

That's a good question. I'm a bit of weirdo in that I'll actually track down some of that old stuff if it's not too expensive and can perform better than modern alternatives (a rare combination). But I think you're right in that the community could quickly just become a place for people to post their old stuff, which isn't much help for others who are looking for something that's quality and still easily obrained.

I think I'll take the stance that this BIFL will be solely focused on things that are still being made, and make that a hard rule (once I get around to editing the sidebar).

Thanks for asking man!

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