Personal chat thread

[Tadasuke]

Some people would probably want me to feel like a villain, because I'm a white male middle class, so of course the likes of me are responsible for global warming, animal extinction, racism, sexism and exploitation of children in poor countries.

Unfortunately these problems don't feel that important to me, when my back hurts, my stomach hurts, my head hurts, I hardly find anything enjoyable and I don't even know what I'm living for at this point. I don't even eat meat and I don't travel much these days. Everyone has something to do.

So sorry for not considering climate change my priority.

[Tadasuke]

I think that it would be constructive and helpful to push for hope, optimism and agency among people instead of fear, negativity and anxiety.

Our goal ought to be to make the world (or a virtual world as well) a drastically better place than it was in the year 2000, instead of just trying to prevent it from being drastically worse than in the year 2000 (or only slightly better). In the latter case, we would only be keeping ourselves from being totally miserable, instead of trying to be much healthier and happier (and more sustainable as well), which is objectively a better long-term goal. Something like Yuli Ban's Y2K stasis.

I'm not sure what to think about this topic anymore, but for a long time, I was of opinion, that it would be optimal to strive for a population of 15 - 25 billion, but of not standard homo sapiens, instead of much improved, enhanced, augmented, enlightened homo sapiens+, transhumans or posthumans. However, some people (Isaac Arthur among them) are of opinion that a lot greater numbers would be ok and beneficial (for example for distant space colonization and even in this solar system). So perhaps trillions (or more) isn't a bad idea. The Universe is HUGE after all (but I have my doubts whether inter-galactic travel is practical).

[wjfox]

I'm looking forward to seeing this!

A friend and I are going to the exhibit next month.

[lechwall]

I'm looking forward to seeing this!

A friend and I are going to the exhibit next month.

Looks really cool is this a permanent exhibit?

[wjfox]

Looks really cool is this a permanent exhibit?

Runs until 7 January 2024.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/titanosaur.html

[wjfox]

During a walk through woodlands just now, I got bit by a horsefly. These things are unbelievable - razor sharp teeth, I was literally bleeding!

Luckily I had some alcohol soap in my bag, which I applied liberally.

Not looking forward to the next few days of swelling though...

[erowind]

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[lechwall]

Just became a dad tired but very happy. My son will certainly see a lot of change in his life that's for sure

[wjfox]

Just became a dad tired but very happy. My son will certainly see a lot of change in his life that's for sure

Amazing, and wonderful news! Congratulations!

[wjfox]

Today a friend and I visited the Natural History Museum!

A major display is currently running – Patagotitan mayorum, one of the largest known creatures ever to walk the earth!

Some of you might remember the diplodocus that used to welcome visitors in the main hall. Well... this thing is QUADRUPLE the weight of that, and a whole 12 metres longer than the blue whale!

37 metres / 57 tons!!!

We also had a tour of the "Spirit Collection", which includes many weird and wonderful specimens like a giant squid, gulper eel, coelacanth, sharks, and masses of other preserved sea life. And we even got to see Charles Darwin's collection!

If you're in London, then I strongly recommend checking this out. The titanosaur display runs until January 2024.

[wjfox]

Just a quick video from a recent journey home.

Gherkin now looking swamped by more recent skyscrapers.

[Ozzie guy]

Going to see Oppenheimer in "gold class" tonight.

Which basically means good seats not a lot of people and you can order food/drinks.
I don't do much these days so it is a good outing.

[wjfox]

Going to see Oppenheimer in "gold class" tonight.

Which basically means good seats not a lot of people and you can order food/drinks.
I don't do much these days so it is a good outing.

Hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you thought of it.

[wjfox]

Baby bird in my garden.

I heard a loud chirping outside, and saw something fall into this box. When I opened the door, it went silent and was just sat there like this.

[erowind]

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[erowind]

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[Powers]

[wjfox]

This evening I had my first ever experience in VR!

Despite being a massive tech enthusiast, I'd never tried it before.

A friend and I had dinner at a Prezzo, then went to the Royal Institution. They were doing a virtual presentation of the Square Kilometre Array. This will be the largest radio telescope ever built.

The show was only 30 minutes, and the group was very small (maybe a dozen or so people), but I got a real sense of 3D/immersion that was very cool, especially when flying over the deserts of Australia. It was narrated by Brian Cox.

I will probably get a VR headset with my next desktop PC, which I plan to buy in 2025 or so. They'll hopefully be a bit cheaper by then.

[Certain Russian user]

Once again, after about a year-long break, visited this place. Didn't read too much, even less interested to discuss anything, just don't like to lurk in shadows. As for my humble person, I currently live in nice place that in your language called something like "Ecovalley", the southern suburb of Samara beyond Samara river (see picture below). To those sadistically expected and gloated... oh sorry, I meant worried about me... no, I'm not in the army, neither I "cope and seethe" under heavy yoke of your mighty sanctions (believe me or not, the common man like me doesn't even see the difference). Nor I "deeply ashamed" / "fell into poverty" as some of you predicted. In turn, I hope you guys are OK and your personal present and future will not be disappointing.

PS Joe, mate, why did you disappeared from my radar? Did I say something very wrong? I don't remember anything like that, but if even... it wasn't a deliberate insult, I just prefer the sharp honesty over smooth and insincere politeness.

[Ozzie guy]

Once again, after about a year-long break, visited this place. Didn't read too much, even less interested to discuss anything, just don't like to lurk in shadows. As for my humble person, I currently live in nice place that in your language called something like "Ecovalley", the southern suburb of Samara beyond Samara river (see picture below). To those sadistically expected and gloated... oh sorry, I meant worried about me... no, I'm not in the army, neither I "cope and seethe" under heavy yoke of your mighty sanctions (believe me or not, the common man like me doesn't even see the difference). Nor I "deeply ashamed" / "fell into poverty" as some of you predicted. In turn, I hope you guys are OK and your personal present and future will not be disappointing.

PS Joe, mate, why did you disappeared from my radar? Did I say something very wrong? I don't remember anything like that, but if even... it wasn't a deliberate insult, I just prefer the sharp honesty over smooth and insincere politeness.

Nice to see your ok.