Libb

What seemingly random thing do you vehemently hate?

Hate is a strong word, with or without vehemency.

There are things I despise (most media, social or traditional, being an example of), there are things I don't like (bananas), stuff and behaviours I disagree with (certainties and personal opinions used as indisputable truth, violence), and then there are people I dislike, some deeply (like... nope, I won't name anyone) but I'd rather not hate. Not anymore, like I may have hated when I was younger.

Hate helps no one solve any issue, helps no one in becoming a better person. It certainly does not help me, quite the opposite.

My spouse and I have been living for the last 25 years in a small apartment in a big city. It's 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 living room + kitchen and a couple closets. I reckon the whole surface of our place would barely qualify as enough for a 'master bedroom' to the average US menage but we're not Americans so we don't care ;)

We're not poor (we're not rich, either). We simply have chosen to live like that. Learning to make with the little space we live in. Exactly like we have chosen a couple decades ago to not own a car (and to not take the plane) anymore. We want to try to reduce the amount of waste we generate and reduce our 'ecological footprint' on this planet.

Trying here being the important word: we do our best but there are obviously many things we could do better and a few we probably can't improve much upon (like, I have lifelong health issues that require regular medical care and surgery, which means a lot of waste are being created just to keep me alive a little longer but, nope, I don't feel like ending myself sooner would be a good idea, not even to spare the planet some waste, sorry ;)

Alas, I don't think that's being cynical at all. Or maybe I'm, too?

In written form — as long as there is a common language/ability to read, and a willingness to read too — ideally followed by a discussion (most preferably IRL, as you can easily see the other person's emotions and adjust your own communication to it) about whatever was read.

The (lack of) willingness to read is something that worries me a lot.

Not because I I see so many younger people focusing on YT content (or on any de-Googled version of YT), videos are a great tool and they have a legit place in most teaching/learning but they also can't replace books. So, when I see so many younger people using videos only, as well as many people my age who so easily have forgo books too), and when you start realizing university students seemingly cannot read books anymore... That's an issue. A serious one.

I'm also surprised people seem to not realize how much more efficient a text (be it a book, or an article) is compared to a video when one wants to study something, aka work on it and not just watch it for fun.

And even for fun, this time it's purely a personal preference: I prefer reading a text (and let my own brain/imagination decide what the characters or props look like), than watching it and being told that they look like this or that.

It may also be that I'm one of those old 50+ dude that don't get it and just don't realize how much better/cooler videos are compared to books. I doubt it, but I'm willing to admit I don't get it.

Debian (desktop) and Mint (laptop), because I don't need to use the latest version of every app I use and because it works so well.

If I had to chose a single one, it would be Debian but I don't have to chose ;)

Not at all a game changer, for me.

I mean, it's just another and one more type of cable. Sure, in theory it's simpler than many various cables and it's even less stupid than the previous USB types, but it's still a mess.

At least, for non-geek me, those cables are a mess as I need to be able to distinguish between the exact same cable to find which one is USB-C or Thunderbolt, between the various versions of USB-C itself, and then between USB-C that comes with or without power delivery, and with what power limitation? And then, despite USB-C supposedly being a standard there are still too many cables that just won't work with certain devices because reasons.

Add to that the many USB-C docks (and dongles) that work... more or less reliably and more or less as marketed (even more so under Linux, but those issues exist under Mac and under Windows as well).

Older cables and ports were cumbersome, and thick and whatever but, as far as I'm concerned, for the most part they just worked like they were supposed to. And I never had an issue knowing which cable to plug into which port as they all looked, you know, different.

Nowadays, I have to label each one of my USB-C cable with some masking tape so I can identify it in a glimpse without wasting my time trying them all one by one.

Edit: some clarifications.

I have no idea but I imagine most should be younger than I am (50+)

You have all my sympathy. I don't know cancer stages but, as someone who was diagnosed to not have much more than a fe months at most a year to live many, many years ago, I know it can be worth double or even triple-checking. Seeing another specialist was a revelation for me as the new doctor she, well, she did not contradict the first doctor diagnosis but instead she suggested me a new experimental treatment the other doctor (a very nice but also a much older lady) was apparently not even aware existed.

How to talk about it with your family depends entirely of your relationship with each of your family member. There is no such thing as one right way to tell them all.

I would only tell people I trust, that's for sure. And there aren't that many. Then, I would decide to which of those people I love I can tell, and how much I can tell, and how. Some, no matter how close we can be, I would not tell them anything.

I mean, when I was persuaded my time was coming, we talked openly about it with my spouse. We discussed absolutely every single aspect of what was to happen like the two (back then young) adults we were supposed to be, two persons caring one for the other. We talked openly because that is how we had always done it when faced with any serious issue, like we still do today. But I would not have talked like that with anyone else. Certainly not with my parents.

No matter how much we love them, many people simply aren't wired for 100% honest talk, and can't stand those kind of hard truth without being overwhelmed by denial and emotions (some of which can become very problematic when heartbreaking decisions and choices must be made), the kind emotions you may yourself not want to deal with at that time (I certainly did not want to).

Thx!

Thx a lot :)

Thx x 4 :)

Funny Illustrations (sorry, no idea where to put them):

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(I would love to find a Bill Watterson one, if anyone knows. I own all his Calvin & Hobbes albums, it would just be for the pure joy of regularly see one popup on my screen :))

Nature is often odd & that's great:

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Movies:

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