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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: July 1st, 2023

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  • This is one of the more eloquent definitions I’ve seen of conservatives. It’s exactly how I see them operate.

    The fucked up thing is that a lot of the younger ones I’ve seen recently have that knowledge that their destructive worldviews are messed up, but continue with it out of trauma or some kind of sadism.

    I’d guess that many of the older ones have doubled down on that so many times, they can’t remember it ever being a decision or up for internal debate. So, they just keep digging their hateful holes in the sand, ready to plunge their heads in any time they hear something that upsets their delicate, irrational, fantasies.


  • Social media use is related to classroom distractions, but I’d say it is it’s own can of worms that needs to be addressed.

    The issue is both with scope and amplification of persistent issues like those you mentioned as well as the detached nature of communication over these apps or just on the internet in general.

    Human interactions are definitely ugly and awkward at times, especially between kids as they try to make sense of their world. The increased amount/prevalence of these opportunities for communication through an algorithmic lens that perpetuates unrealistic societal expectations and is designed to keep the user constantly engaged both take a greater toll on mental health and distract people (adults included) from the task at hand or reality in general.


  • What’s with the fetishization of school shootings in this thread?

    This whole argument is weird. Kids don’t need smart phones in school. Is your argument that we should let kids have smart phones so they can call their parents if there is ever a school shooting? Do you think every kid should be prepared for imminent death at all times in the classroom? What’s the actual argument?

    I’m stating that smart phones are a net negative to any learning environment and there are already effective modes of communication within schools.


  • I mean that students can access that capability through a plethora of district provided resources. In the US, nearly every classroom has a fleet of laptops. Students don’t need to use a device that lets them screw around and goof off anymore than that lol

    I agree that there is some benefit for classrooms without that technology, but, honestly, it’s more detrimental to the students’ mental health and learning process, regardless.

    Most kids in middle and many in high school cannot psychologically handle/manage using their cell phone appropriately in class. We can’t expect them to. They’re kids. They take pictures of each other without permission (usually, generally, innocent, but sometimes not), they spend hours of instructional time scrolling inane crap on Instagram or Twitter or whatever, or they straight up play fortnite all class.

    Most of these kids have not yet been equipped with the media and tech literacy skills they need to make good choices regarding their technology. This comes down to the inherent lag time in the field of education and while we began addressing this over the last few years, a lot of kids have been raised by smartphones more than they have been by their parents.

    Until that connection between student and smart phone is treated with greater respect and understanding, which will take a massive culture shift, kids don’t need to access phones in class.


  • Lol isolating kids? They’re at school… If someone needs to get information out, there are already channels of communication.

    Hope you have a better day.

    Edit:

    The need for gun control in the US is absolutely dire from any and all perspectives of public health, from school shootings to suicide.

    The effect smart phones have had on our students is significant and must be addressed as many kids are not learning in the classroom.

    Both of these things are true. Both must be addressed.


  • You understand that a lot of communication in that scenario can, at worst, lead to crucial misinformation about what’s going on and, at best, is unnecessary, don’t you?

    Obviously, these shootings happen, but the solution is not to arm each student with a cell phone, just as it sure as hell isn’t to arm each teacher with a firearm.

    The detrimental effects of cell phone usage in the classroom are well documented and plain as day if you just walk into a high school or middle school lesson. Even with highly engaging teachers and lessons, there are kids who slip through the cracks because nobody can compete with the newest fad app designed to melt a child’s brain and possibly drain their parent’s bank accounts.

    This move addresses a significant issue within our school system. Addressing gun violence in the US is a very complex issue that needs to be tackled through a lot of different fronts. Kids having smart phones in school will not address that issue.





  • Am I seeing this right that they put that one monitor up just enough to be above a cat laying in the bed? I feel like that’s either perfect engineering or just a challenge to the cat to continue getting in the way of computer use lol

    I will say that the placement between the screen and the keyboard is making me think about doing something similar with my setup, though.






  • Totally. Yeah, I’d recommend dongles like you and I both posted, then. I will say that yours looks pretty solid in that it can rest flat when the deck is propped up. Both of mine kinda hang off the top of the deck and bend, but it’s really more of a cosmetic thing that I’m fine with.

    Also, the dongles are super slim and fit easily in the bottom of those smaller hard travel cases for the deck, even with a small charging block and normal sized cable.

    Like another commentor said, it’s definitely more important to check out the video/power supply specs and all that, but you can get a solid one for $20-$40 now, easily.

    Edit: Plus, I have a couple of those right angle connectors that came with my case so if I really wanted to hide the cable a bit more, those would help. After trying out a couple different cases and dongle/dock combinations, it’s amazing the amount of extra stuff these companies throw your way. I have more joystick caps and dongle peripherals than I know what to do with lol


  • This is a really cool one you’ve posted. And at a good price point. I’ve shelled out much more for a really nice one for my laptop a few years ago. It’s an anker 11 in 1 and cost somewhere around $80-$100 (USD) if I remember correctly. It has way more than I need but I liked the idea of being able to connect to Ethernet and either display port or HDMI with my laptop. I use this one for my steam deck, too.

    A little while ago, I got an anker 6 in 1 for travel, and this is a lot cheaper, I think it was knocked down to $30 or so when I got it.

    I like these ones because they are pretty durable and I have a preference for braided cables, but there are likely a lot of other great options around by now.

    Edit: Also, I tried the docking stations and they were not really for me. I just use a dongle and have my deck propped up by a kickstand on its case. If you’re looking to keep it propped up without a case, those docking stations may be more your speed.



  • Totally get that. And of course!

    I think stuff that gets you out of the same headspace and even room in which you game can help reprioritize things.

    Video editing is a super useful skill and it may make you want to go out and capture different shots or compile something for someone else, too. My highschool buddy started getting into AV stuff a while ago and just did a really good job compiling the highlights of another of our friend’s weddings and I guarantee all of us are gonna keep that file on some drive for a long time!

    As others have said, if it’s that progression loop kinda thing you’re stuck in like with an MMO or online shooter, I say kick that stuff as fast as you can.

    If you really wanna keep going with some of the MMO stuff, look into hosting your own game. My buddies and I love old school World of Warcraft and finally decided to host our own server which has been a game changer.

    Idk if that’s all gonna be applicable, but you can cut down or out a lot of stuff by just identifying what “itch” is scratched by your gaming. If you take steps to control how you consume that media, you are more aware of the time commitment and effect it has on you.

    Hope that helps and it’s awesome you’re looking to introspect about your hobbies!


  • Honestly, mine came about organically with other responsibilities and interests.

    Earlier on, I’d moderated myself but picking up another hobby, like playing bass guitar and adding that into my priorities.

    Once out of college, other priorities, like making better than decent meals, my significant other, and continuing my tabletop RPG crew kinda helped me stop spending endless weekend or day off hours on a game.

    Probably, the largest piece for me is having a family and a friend group that I care to keep up with. When I was younger, I escaped through games, but now I use them more like how I use a book or TV series and look for experiences I’ll find meaningful instead of just grinding rep or xp points in a loop.