Two I can think of, luckily neither was that bad.

Firstly I got impatient and bought a new DSLR camera kit off eBay, thinking I would save money and get a good deal. It came with two decent lenses, supposedly, and a bunch of other accessories. Very highly rated seller.

After I made the purchase, I get a message to expect a phone call from such-and-such number. Strange, I thought. They call and immediately I can tell it’s a bait-and-switch. They tell me what they’re going to send, but it’s not what was in the listing. Only one lens, instead of two, and some other shenanigans like substituting inferior brands and cheap shit. I called them out and said either you deliver what was promised in the listing, or I’m opening a dispute, and it won’t be a good look that you tried to change the deal over the phone.

Anyway I got what was listed, but overall it was a disappointment. Grey market items from overseas, not official US licensed gear, so I had no warranty. But I ended up paying as much or more than if I had walked into a local shop. It wasn’t counterfeit, but just left a bad taste in my mouth. The seller disappeared from eBay not long after that…

Second time: I received one of those emails with a password in the subject. It looked familiar, and was in fact an (old) password I had used. Someone took a hacked DB and just fired off countless emails with the passwords to the matching email addresses. But the tone of the email was what spooked me. It said, I have had full access to all your emails, I have figured out how to reset accounts and hacked into your webcam and have some very interesting photos. Either you pay this amount to this bitcoin address or I send the photos to all your contacts and your life will be ruined.

In the moment, I panicked like oh shit this is legit. Even though I couldn’t imagine what photos they referred to, it was still scary being blackmailed. I thought about it, discussed with some people, and they helped calm me down. After a few days, I realized it must be a scam. It was so generic. Surely if it was real, they would mentioned specifics… my name, or what I looked like, or some other unmistakable details.

Over the years, I received a number of other variations with the same jist, and different passwords (my email address was in several major leaks in mid-2000s). I’m glad I didn’t fall for that shit, regardless of how serious it seemed in the moment.

Why stop there? Shut it all down. Pull the plug.

My advice: make sure he has other interests and socializes.

I was obsessed with coding from age 7, and now wish I had spent that time otherwise, more being a “normal” kid and less time sitting alone giving orders to a damned computer. Once I reached my mid-twenties the joy died in the realities of the job market, and now I can’t even think about that crap anymore.

You know what I enjoy now? Playing a guitar. Didn’t start until age 30, and it was like a revelation.

Sorry I didn’t answer your question. I still think any parent who wants to “get their child started” on something early should heed my advice and experience. I am for real a walking, talking (sometimes) warning.

What’s the point?

I make more than most of my acquaintances in the city (my friends are poor), yet it’s not enough to rent a house much less buy one. It’s not enough to save for retirement. It’s not even enough to move to a better apartment. The only reason I can think of owning a house is my inheritance - period.

My company touts their generous benefits which start on day one. But I’m about to lose access to my therapist because they want to push virtual and self-help resources instead. They publish pamphlets that exaggerate medical benefits, when you go to use them the insurance company says “Nah lol.”

We have no union and in fact the state disincentivized formation of unions with “right to work” laws.

Work leaves me feeling exhausted and hopeless. My paycheck covers the bills, buys food, and keeps a derelict roof over my head. Apparently that makes me “lucky” and I should be grateful for it.

I feel ya.

I’m lying here alone right now, in my noisy hovel of an apartment, scared shitless, trying to block out the sound and light, to sleep as wave after wave of sorrow washes over me. The pills really aren’t working so well lately. Hooray for “the weekend.”

For the first time in my life I’m considering substance abuse. The world mostly just disgusts me right now.

Saaaame, happy for you <3

It’s a scary world right now but we got this.

I think it’s hilarious that people are still using DOS in 2024!

Sim City 2k was the first time I used Windows 95. One of the teachers in my sixth grade class had it on their computer, and they let us take turns playing it. It seemed really amazing to those of us who grew up with more primitive computers, like Apple IIs, even Macs, various x86 clones running DOS, or occasionally Windows 3.1.

My first PC in 1998 even had Sim City 2k “Network Edition” pre-installed. Played the shit outta that game!

core belief among racist organizations

A bit outdated examples, try these:

CPAC, RNC, John Birch Society, Heritage Foundation

This is also behind the trans panic and concurrent anti-LGBTQ legislation in conservative states.

Sure, they’ll package it with scripture and moralizing, but in the end? It’s all about fear.

Uh money is an issue and I’m still getting out of this trash belt state. Even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees.

It’s OK to be “disconnected.”

Especially if “connected” implies dependency on one corporation which has shown general disregard for its customers’ privacy and mental health.

I don’t use Whatsapp, FB, Instagram, snapchat, google, and somehow manage to make my way through the world.

Believe it or not plenty of people still interact in meatspace, limited as it is.

For me, Sandy Hook was the moment I realized we aren’t going to collectively do anything about gun violence.

My friend’s not stupid per se… just struggles with things most people find trivial. Like answering the phone or going outside.

I mean, if God lets it happen, it was meant to be

More importantly,

Are any of you single and willing to settle for someone unattractive, not too smart, and otherwise limited?

Asking for a friend.

Introducing Google Pay-I.

Revolutionary AI learns from your habits and personality to make payments on your behalf! It will buy things you didn’t even know you needed!

No, I’m sorry, if a person was bullied for a year, that was the time for “due process” to protect them and society by preventing further harm. Now it is too late.

They caused someone to die by their violent actions, I am fully in favor of violent retaliation here, and as I said not looking to be convinced otherwise.

There are some things our society gets right, and some things it gets wrong. Passivity in the face of violence is a mistake IMO.

I have to admit, one of my first emotional responses was anger. I want vengeance. When will we see the day the bullies, abusers, murderers, and their enablers receive justice?

Not civilized “justice” in court rooms, on pieces of paper, with well-dressed men and women arguing politely over legal arcana.

Blood for blood. There should be a mortal fear that if they harm one hair on our heads, something worse will happen to them by far.

Don’t tell me this won’t bring anyone back. Don’t tell me to be better than our enemies. If you will assault someone over their skin color, gender, sexual orientation, you don’t deserve the breath of life.

Haha I’m driving my 13-year-old car like, what you all don’t have buttons?!

Where’s Indiana Jones when you need him? Didn’t he take out a truck full of Nazis?