The "I don't want to talk about AI" thread, and the new topic is: helpful advice!

[MrPixel]

Coffee that doesn't make me pee every 20 minutes.

The same for iced tea. We have a regional fast-casual that serves a 16 oz cup of very nice tea. It's a half-hour away from the house. Almost didn't make it last time we ate there. Potent stuff.

 

[Erozetta]

Levitating grocery bags.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

Anti-depressants with no side effects.

 

[NuclearFairy]

Levitating grocery bags.

That seals at the top so that nothing goes bouncing out if the bag hits a sharp drop.

 

[Erozetta]

That seals at the top so that nothing goes bouncing out if the bag hits a sharp drop.

And maintain proper temps for the groceries inside of them

 

[TheLobster]

Levitating grocery bags.

Let's just settle on hoverboards. They'd solve a similar problem and potentially many others -- such as the dire lack of hoverboards in the Year of Our Lord 2015+10.

 

[MrPixel]

Let's just settle on hoverboards.

True hoverboards, like BTTF? Or those mini Segways that burn people's houses down?

Semi-related are all these powered scooters we see around here. My wife and I call those "35 mph pedestrians" in the middle of the street, weaving in and out of traffic. Body count has to be nuts.

 

[iwatchus]

Levitating grocery bags.

Tell me about it. Trying to carry too many groceries in a hurry is how I blew out my knee.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

That seals at the top so that nothing goes bouncing out if the bag hits a sharp drop.

*Engineer gene kicks in*
So what you're saying is that the bags would have a set levitation distance from the ground. Or is it that their levitation is dependent on uplift that requires a certain proximity to a surface to be generated? Perhaps they rely on an anti-gravity field which is actually made by something in the floor...

Z.exe is experiencing unexpected social awkwardness. Please restart the software, or reload the webpage if you're still experiencing issues.

 

[SmilingLez]

Advanced VR technology, IMHO, far surpasses current AI technology.

 

[TheLobster]

Z.exe is experiencing unexpected social awkwardness. Please restart the software, or reload the webpage if you're still experiencing issues.

Have you tried redirecting the standard output stream of the Z.exe process to the worldbuilding.txt file? It might help alleviate its issues.

 

[NuclearFairy]

*Engineer gene kicks in*
So what you're saying is that the bags would have a set levitation distance from the ground. Or is it that their levitation is dependent on uplift that requires a certain proximity to a surface to be generated? Perhaps they rely on an anti-gravity field which is actually made by something in the floor...

Z.exe is experiencing unexpected social awkwardness. Please restart the software, or reload the webpage if you're still experiencing issues.

With flight you can control the distance from the ground and your own descent, however levitation implies hovering, and in hovering it is always a set distance from the ground, with the closer to your distance you are the slower you fall. Which would give you a cushioned drop if you're going off a three foot drop but it would still send the cargo in the top of the bag bouncing out.

 

[Euphony]

Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe next time I'm in the market.

Ill see if taking off my glasses helps too.

I know the use cases are totally different but, after my years thrown down the noise canceling rabbit hole, I offer my experience.

Switch to IEMs if you at all can.

I love/hate Bose as they do have the best implementation of N.C. on the market but much of that is by brutalizing others in the space (through patents and other pressures) effectively killing off innovation and making Bose "the best' by default. And they bully retailers into pricing. (most of the product line is bomb proof construction though so at least they aren't totally evil.)

NC is also a frequency battle. There are some drone-y types they pummel (think mass transit noises: engines, rails, low hum repetition type stuff.) Your neighbors colic newborn, not so much.

I spent a small fortune on solutions and was never satisfied. The Sony's are about as swiss army knife as they come. They are musically good (often a stumbling point.) Their NC is more broadly better across a range of noise pollution versus Bose which isn't as good at everything but is Thor's hammer at what is excels at. (especially travel noises.)

Ultimately though, switching to IEMs was the way. What ChiFi has done to the landscape over the last couple years is honestly breathtaking. Details wise, my $120 IEMs bury my beloved Sennheisers and much of what's in the open air market up to about 1k. I've rediscovered music through them which is mind blowing b/c I'm very siloed in my listening compared to most. (the Spotify/youtube types)

But, admittedly, it is a different experience. The trade off for true noise suffocation is effectively cutting you off from the world. There are pass through audio solutions but I've not seen it in a sonically great IEM (reasonably priced.)

And there's the fiddling of fit. Over ears are mostly plug and play outside adjusting for headband and odd shape outer ears. Having to negotiating personal canal idiosyncrasies isn't bad but it can feel like work if you are conditioned to the old school throw on, plug in, and be done.

There's a pile of youtube videos from the Headphones.com supported fellas that address much of this and more of the real world realities of the NC problem. If your situation can allow for the minor tradeoffs, Iems are night and day different than what you remember (there are even really good true wireless for a change but I still suggest wired for more choice, fitment, and access to the truly great sounding offerings.)

Superreview (youtube) is great for laymen iem reviews with a touch of the technical and deeper thinking the hobby allows for but not so much it overwhelms even a starting out-er.

People are incredibly individual in the audio preferences space and crazy territorial so take everything (even or especially me) with a grain of salt.

I bought a $50 pair of Truthear Hexas when they were the value darlings (still pretty great but Chifi is innovating so fast, it's hard for any iem to stay king for long) and lost a number of days rediscovering my music catalog.

Those Sonys are epic but a narrow sniper solution to the problem (with cost to match.) There are a lot of refurbs in the marketplace (I don't think it speaks to quality so much as just they sell a ton of units) so that can get your foot in the door keeping most of your toes.

I'm still in the iem camp. This coming from a guy who fought hard against them for the longest. I was a bulky Sennheiser purist (oh my precious) but when I truly need to eliminate distraction, iems to my preferences are the way. Sonys are a luxurious, decadent silk cake. But they can be too much in some ways or too little meat and potatoes for the problem at hand. (depending on its type and severity.)

If you can handle the tradeoffs, iems better handle the width of the problem and often bring superior fidelity to boot.

 

[Djmac1031]

Switch to IEMs if you at all can.

There's only been one pair of in ear earphones that I ever felt comfortable with, used them a the gym mostly until I lost them. Which reminds me I should get a new pair.

I think I'd have to try a good pair of IEMs out before just buying them online or something.

Price is of course always a factor too.

And despite my initial post made in somewhat jest, I don't need 100% sound blockage really. Most times I'm just chilling to something before bed.

But you make a good case for them, I'll certainly consider.

 

[Euphony]

There's only been one pair of in ear earphones that I ever felt comfortable with, used them a the gym mostly until I lost them. Which reminds me I should get a new pair.

I think I'd have to try a good pair of IEMs out before just buying them online or something.

Price is of course always a factor too.

And despite my initial post made in somewhat jest, I don't need 100% sound blockage really. Most times I'm just chilling to something before bed.

But you make a good case for them, I'll certainly consider.

You literally wrote the exact thoughts that were in my head before I decided to begrudgingly give it a go.

It's why I don't shade anyone not wanting to bother b/c I was that person full stop. My Senns were one of my top 3 belongings. I wore the pads out. Legitimately through use not quality control.

About 3ish years ago, China went nuts (we call it ChiFi) Not only as good as the old standards but bettering them in a lot of cases and surely winning the price war.

Fitment can suck. Once I got out of the "well why doesn't what's in the box do the job" mindset things improved. Not just "now usable" improved but like I discovered a range of spices that change up recipes and outcomes sort of situation. It's a couple extra bucks and cycling through S,M,L to figure out your canals but then you're good. Spinfits worked for me (and many.) Reasonably priced, forgiving for most.

Unless you are a serious base connoisseur, iems can win the day. There are "bassy" iems but there's no reasonably priced match for the visceral thump and feel if that's what you're jonsing for. In iems, thumpers are a niche product.

I could never transition to the wireless. I did the mainstream stars, Apples and Samsung beanes of the world. Just didn't stay in right and a lot of the musicality was lost, especially when the lose seal but not fall out.

Took a chance on a Chinese drop shipper with solid reputation. Came in about a week and 1/2 and F me if it wasn't one of the best "why didn't I try this earlier" ideas I've ever stumbled on to. Most of the value superstars sell through domestic spots like Headphones.com (with an epic return policy) but I was sure this would be a failed experiment so went cheaper and slower shipped.

I fit my Hexas, fire up my curated writing playlist and I am effectively gone until I no longer want to be.

 

[stickygirl]

Sssh! I had to look up what IEM meant

 

[StillStunned]

I'd also like some technology to stop Spotify from playing The Waterboys every damn time I listen to more than a few dozen songs. I mean, who knew they ever had any other songs besides "The Whole of the Moon", right? Apparently they have enough that Spotify can throw up a different one every three or four songs.

 

[NuclearFairy]

I'd also like some technology to stop Spotify from playing The Waterboys every damn time I listen to more than a few dozen songs. I mean, who knew they ever had any other songs besides "The Whole of the Moon", right? Apparently they have enough that Spotify can throw up a different one every three or four songs.

So, Spotify vomits The Waterboys every time it gets sick? What're you feeding it?

 

[Z_TheWriter]

I'd also like some technology to stop Spotify from playing The Waterboys every damn time I listen to more than a few dozen songs. I mean, who knew they ever had any other songs besides "The Whole of the Moon", right? Apparently they have enough that Spotify can throw up a different one every three or four songs.

Running the risk here of scandalizing @iwatchus again, but who the hell are The Waterboys?

Maybe I've just been safe because I don't use Spotify, but I've never heard of that band.

 

[StillStunned]

So, Spotify vomits The Waterboys every time it gets sick? What're you feeding it?

Maybe it ejaculates them every time it gets horny?

 

[StillStunned]

Running the risk here of scandalizing @iwatchus again, but who the hell are The Waterboys?

Maybe I've just been safe because I don't use Spotify, but I've never heard of that band.

They had a bit of a hit in 1985 with a song called "The Whole of the Moon". More recently they've transformed into digital atoms and taken up residence in my Spotify.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

They had a bit of a hit in 1985 with a song called "The Whole of the Moon". More recently they've transformed into digital atoms and taken up residence in my Spotify.

Oh no! It's the 80s again!
*hides*

But yeah I can see how that would be rough. I did a few stints as a bartender at uni once. The PC there had issues on Spotify too. One bartender had been very fond of an obscure Russian band, so they would pop up whenever it was left unattended for too long.

 

[Euphony]

Oh no! It's the 80s again!
*hides*

Harrumph. 80's. Insidious I tell ya. Insidious.

 

[Erozetta]

Tell me about it. Trying to carry too many groceries in a hurry is how I blew out my knee.

Shoulder for me. But I got the groceries in in one fucking trip. My legs almost buckled, but it was my left shoulder that took the brunt of the damage considering it was already injured, lol.

 

[Erozetta]

As an aside, the food I made today:

Lemon herb roasted catfish with Caesar salad (homemade croutons and dressing) and lemon butter rice.



Vanilla apricot layered cake with cream cheese frosting.


Garlic herb grilled cheese