Posts by Jeffrey Ramos4

mistydrifter55 said:- Tell me about it. Back in college, I used to buy these super fancy, expensive planners, totally convinced they would somehow "do the work for me." 🤦🤣

Now I'm in a phase where I "plan" to print out this self-organization chart and fill it out. And I've been "planning" to do that for like two months now. 🤦

What if the answer to the first question is just... nothing? 😬

ruggedbadger2 said:Here are two thought experiments regarding hedonism. I'm curious to see how you'd handle both scenarios. 🙂

1) The "Experience Machine." This is that famous thought experiment by Robert Nozick. I’ve heard a few different versions, but here’s how I remember it: imagine there’s this high-tech pod. Once you step inside, it provides an unimaginable level of pleasure—just pure, indescribable bliss. All physical and mental suffering is wiped out the moment you enter; there's nothing but extreme gratification. However, the machine works by physically altering your body, deforming it in ways you wouldn't actually feel while you're plugged in. But, if you knew beforehand that entering the pod would turn you into something like this, would you still get in?

2) Now, let's take a variation of the classic "trolley problem." Imagine a runaway train barreling toward the person inside that pleasure pod, which happens to be sitting right on the tracks. You’re standing next to a lever. If you pull it, you divert the train onto a different track where a "normal" person is tied down. What do you think is the better outcome: ending a life filled with total bliss, or ending an ordinary life? Which life carries more value, in your opinion? Obviously, the person in the pod would die painlessly since they wouldn't even feel the impact.

Hedonism just isn't part of the human blueprint. No actual human being is wired to chase some ultimate, static state of pure pleasure. You see this reflected in psychoanalysis too. It’s similar to that old debate about whether you’d rather have the destination or the journey itself. Hedonism doesn't offer any real progress for humanity. I don't see any way to leverage it to build a community or true social cohesion. To me, hedonism feels incredibly selfish—it sits right at the bottom tier of human needs. Through his experiment, Nozick proved that people aren't just looking for a hit of dopamine; they want to actually live through the process. If we were all plugged into a machine that pumped out nothing but bliss, we’d get the sensation of satisfaction without anything else. And because we wouldn't be aware of what reality actually looks like, we'd be trapped in a bubble... which is the last thing any of us really wants.
Thanks, but I'll pass on the machine. 🙂

Jerry Wilson13, if things are actually going down the way you’re describing, her behavior is crossing the line into harassment. That needs to be shut down immediately. Seriously. Don't just ignore it, don't stall, and definitely don't lie to yourself... just set up a meeting and lay it all out for her. Bring your husband along, too. Since you guys used to hang out as a group, it would be the decent, civilized thing to do so everyone can face each other properly. Honestly, what are you even hoping to get out of her and her family when you're being so contradictory? One minute you're saying you have nothing in common, and the next you're saying you've grown fond of them and want to keep seeing them. Think about whether continuing this friendship even makes sense if you're already dealing with this much friction—especially since your schedule is already slammed with everything else you have going on. Besides, we don't even know her side of the story. For all we know, she could be facing some massive personal crisis and just wants to talk. You never really know what people are hiding behind the scenes... not even the ones you think you know well.

mistydrifter55 said:He's an indoor cat—kind of a loner.
They don't really bond much. He isn't exactly a cuddler; he was a rescue, so he's pretty skittish. Who knows what he went through growing up? Anyway, he keeps his distance from the kids. And honestly, the kids keep their distance from him too—better than getting scratched, right? 🤣

As for that hair roller thing, 🤣 I go through them constantly just trying to clean my pants. And don't even get me started on the carpet. 🤦

Krpetina 🤣 Well, at least with the fur, you can clean up after him wherever he walks 🤣 And you mentioned he's white? Everything shows on a white cat 🤣

Don't even mention the carpet. It's a disaster zone. Once I start cleaning it, I'm stuck there for at least an hour, getting into every single nook and cranny 🤣 That's why I avoid it. I know once I start, there's no stopping... 🤣

mistydrifter55 said:I try, but then I end up just yelling at my kids all day. ☕

The 4-year-old leaves toy cars in every single crevice of the apartment.
The older one? She’s basically a walking tornado.
Oh, and we have a Cat. The one I specifically wanted because I grew up around them and didn't mind the cleanup.
But this one is FLUFFY. And naturally, it's a WHITE FLUFFY Cat, so the sheer volume of white fluff shedding onto the carpet is actually impressive.
🤦🤣☕

P.S. I actually bent the vacuum hose by pressing too hard trying to suck up the hair. THE HOSE—METAL.
(Can't afford that fancy one with the rotating brush right now 🙂 )

😍

mistydrifter55 said:I try, but then I end up just yelling at my kids all day. ☕

The 4-year-old leaves toy cars in every single crevice of the apartment.
The older one? She’s basically a walking tornado.
Oh, and we have a Cat. The one I specifically wanted because I grew up around them and didn't mind the cleanup.
But this one is FLUFFY. And naturally, it's a WHITE FLUFFY Cat, so the sheer volume of white fluff shedding onto the carpet is actually impressive.
🤦🤣☕

P.S. I actually bent the vacuum hose by pressing too hard trying to suck up the hair. THE HOSE—METAL.
(Can't afford that fancy one with the rotating brush right now 🙂 )

a cat 😍 How are the kids getting along with him? Is he a house Cat...
That law is nothing but hot air... 😁

mistydrifter55 said:I try, but then I end up just yelling at my kids all day. ☕

The 4-year-old leaves toy cars in every single crevice of the apartment.
The older one? She’s basically a walking tornado.
Oh, and we have a Cat. The one I specifically wanted because I grew up around them and didn't mind the cleanup.
But this one is FLUFFY. And naturally, it's a WHITE FLUFFY Cat, so the sheer volume of white fluff shedding onto the carpet is actually impressive.
🤦🤣☕

P.S. I actually bent the vacuum hose by pressing too hard trying to suck up the hair. THE HOSE—METAL.
(Can't afford that fancy one with the rotating brush right now 🙂 )

My vacuum cleaner is probably pushing twenty years old now... 🎉It’s so loud I’m actually having to dig out my earplugs. At least the color is green... it's somewhat soothing... 🤣
You can find stuff like that in those little corner shops... if you know where to look. $5.00You know, that little lint roller gadget that picks up all the hair... It’s nothing life-changing, really. But it gets the job done... 🤣

mistydrifter55 said:Maybe we can ask the mods to just add a question mark to the end of titles. 😁

🤣 I'd love to, but those robots aren't going to pick up toys off the floor or tidy up a mess. 😁

Maybe the real solution is just automating the kids... giving them the exact same programming as the robot. 😁 🤣

mistydrifter55 said:When it comes to setting priorities, that’s obviously key to staying organized.
Instead of actually vacuuming right now, I’m sitting here typing this out instead. 😬

It's definitely a case of bad prioritization. If I spend all my time vacuuming, I'll be stuck doing it all afternoon, and then I won't have any time left for the other stuff I actually need to get done. 🤦

🤣
Just go grab one of those Roomba robots and call it a day 🙂🤣

I think we need to get to the root of this issue. Is this actually about protecting dogs, or is it just about the bottom line? To be honest, it feels like profit is the only thing driving the bus here. Actually, it makes me wonder if we shouldn't just ban anyone breeding dogs purely for commercial gain. And don't even get me started on how humans have historically messed with these animals... forcing breeding between incompatible lines just to chase specific looks, ignoring all the massive health risks and genetic red flags. We’ve basically spent centuries sculpting dogs to fit our own selfish whims and aesthetic preferences. Then you've got dog shows and all that nonsense—it honestly feels like nothing more than legalized cruelty. Instead, we should be pushing people toward adoption. But to make that work, we really need better education, real training, and media outlets that stop peddling these shallow, materialistic ideals...

When we talk about sex, we’re talking about biology—it's hardwired through genetics, neuroanatomy, and all that. Gender, on the other hand, is a social construct. Everything you guys are bringing up regarding upbringing, media influence, and environment falls into that second category. While research still points toward slight anatomical differences in certain brain structures, those aren't set in stone. Because of neuroplasticity, our environment can actually reshape how our brains function... which means those biological gaps could potentially be narrowed. That’s where the surroundings come into play. As long as society remains closed off to change and insists on everyone acting like carbon copies of one another, nothing is going to shift. It all starts at home. It begins with the family, then moves to preschool and school, then peer pressure, then the media, and so on. Change starts with the individual. If you buy your son a baseball and your daughter a pink dress, you've already started pushing them into stereotyped roles. As parents, you are their primary blueprint. Kids are sponges. You can tell them one thing, but if your actions say something else, you're just setting a bad example. If prospective parents actually had access to proper education and preparation, maybe things would look different from the jump. As for biological sex itself, given how fast science is moving, we might one day all be born intersex. Maybe that will even be an evolutionary leap—an adaptation. I mean, what is the point of rigid sexes anyway? Why should love between two people be dictated by both sex and gender? One day, we might not even exist in this physical form. Conception, pregnancy, childbirth... none of that might even work the way it does now. What will people invent to replace these old stereotypes and biases? Unfortunately, humans will always find a reason...

George Lopez84 said:Wait a second. It looks like a few people over the last couple of pages have just been throwing around quotes—as if that’s a substitute for an actual point. Where there's a will, there's a way—but if you aren't looking for one, you'll always find an excuse instead. The way this is translated—it’s basically an indirect jab at us. It implies we're just some heartless, rude, or uncultured bunch simply because we don't have the time to sit around at a local pub or get wasted every single weekend just to prove we belong.

Maybe I should just stay quiet when things like this come up. Serious allegations. So, these are coordinated insults—not just from one guy, but a whole group. And now they’re trying to play the victim and justify themselves? Honestly, all I can do is laugh. It’s cynical, sure, but what else is there? People really don't think before they speak. I have never once asked for an excuse in my life, nor will I ever—everything I do is based on logic and a legitimate reason. Who do they think they are, trying to indirectly lecture me with those ridiculous, passive-aggressive quotes? That’s exactly what this is. I don't know what kind of people they're used to—people who let them say stuff like this publicly without consequence—but I’m not some pushover who’s going to sit quietly while being insulted for no reason. Just because these people have nothing better to do than jump around aimlessly for 8 to 12 hours a day doesn't mean everyone else should follow their lead. If you actually have 8 to 12 hours of free time every single day to waste on nothing, you should be smart enough to realize that's a luxury. You have the freedom to submit to anyone, anytime; you shouldn't expect the rest of us to bend to your whims just because half your day is useless. And they actually have the nerve to say this stuff out loud. How am I supposed to react to that level of stupidity? As for that "570,000 hours" figure—do the math. Subtract seven hours of sleep every night, subtract the first four years of your life spent just figuring out how to exist as a kid, and you won't be anywhere near 570,000. That's assuming you even start at the average and aren't starting well below it.

If this bothers you, your only options are to bury your head in the sand and cry in a corner. On the bright side—at least a few people have already laid it out clearly for you in the last couple of comments.

I get where you're coming from, and honestly, props to you for trying to make the most of the time you actually have. But it's a bit of a stretch to assume other people are wasting their time just because, from the outside, it might look like they aren't using it "correctly."
Is it possible you're just feeling the pressure because your own schedule is so packed that you can't give certain people or things the attention you'd like to? 🤷
Don't take that quote personally. There are plenty of people who have all the time in the world but still can't show up for others, even when they truly want to. For all we know, it could be social anxiety or someone living 311 miles far away from everyone else. Everyone has their reasons, and everyone is different. And that's perfectly fine... 🙂

George Lopez84 said:I mean, it’s not exactly hard to find free time when you have an empty life like yours—it's just simple logic.

@Jeffrey Ramos4 - It takes a minute, not two—there isn't much to read here anyway when most people just quote others, poorly paraphrased, without actually understanding the weight of what they're claiming. You should back up your own words instead of just throwing quotes around like they're everything. But yeah, I knew my response would be taken as an attack. My mistake. I'm not interested in tossing out nonsense without taking responsibility for it. I won't tolerate it—I have my own principles and I don't deal with baseless stupidity, especially when it's someone else's.

That's it. Either you get the point or you don't; I couldn't care less either way. But don't expect me to stay quiet about this kind of idiocy. From what position do you think you're allowed to call others out? That's why I said stop whining.

Look, the issue isn't about having different opinions; it's about why this hits you so personally. Why get so defensive when nobody is trying to force their views on you? They’re just trying to make sense of how worked up you're getting over this. In friendships, people often expect more from others than they are willing to offer themselves. Sure, it would be ideal to truly step into a friend's shoes. A lot of people act out of habit or without thinking things through, but we shouldn't judge until we've walked a mile in their boots. Here's a real-life example. My only true, long-term friend—who, ironically, I met through this very online community—stood by me even when her closest family wasn't there. I value her time and devotion immensely. On my end, I try to be there for her as much as I can. But I also have my low points where I just can't give 100% mentally, and I'm honest with her about that. She has her own life, too—her partner, her kid—so I understand her side.
What I see constantly is people starting from a place of expectation rather than contribution. They want something from others instead of giving what they can. It all stems from a failure, or perhaps an inability, to empathize with where the other person is coming from. Plus, in the world we live in today, everywhere from the news to our schools, empty values are pushed constantly, and it's easy to fall for them. The frantic, rushed pace of modern life also makes it hard for people to socialize as much as they'd like. People are working so hard just to keep their heads above water that they barely have time for quality moments with their families, unfortunately...

George Lopez84 said:🤦

If you’re implying I’ve wasted my time here, it took me exactly two minutes to write my comment, plus another minute reading through the idiocy in this thread. And obviously, I can't—and won't—stay silent when faced with such stupidity. If you have a brain, you don't just tolerate that kind of thing.

Given that most of you have 4,000 or 5,000 comments on this forum, I highly doubt any of you actually grasp the point—just like most people who end up confused or disappointed wondering where it all went wrong in life. Just consider how much time you lose if you settle for 5 or 6 hours of sleep instead of acting like slackers who sleep 9 or 10 hours a day.

Honestly, people... having a "personal opinion" isn't enough if there isn't a solid foundation to back it up.

Not everyone is a speed-reader capable of processing everything in two minutes flat.😁
Quality sleep means 7 to 8 hours. Not less than seven, not more than eight. Kids? Sure, more than eight is fine. It really just depends on age. 🧐

George Lopez84 said:🤦

You and people like you really need to stop whining—I have to use that word because you're essentially sabotaging yourselves with statements like that. The whole "if you want to, you will" argument is fundamentally wrong.

Since you brought up those 24 hours, I'm going to present the other side of the coin—the part most people miss, which is exactly why you think you have time for "everything."

The average person lives for ONLY 570,000 hours. 570,000 hours. That is what a life consists of. Only people who haven't figured out their purpose—those who aren't using their 24 hours effectively—have time for nonsense, like idling away at a local diner or scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and similar sites. Stop complaining and making these mindless comments just to justify a lack of character and an underdeveloped set of priorities. Just because you have three or four different interests to fill your day doesn't make you superior; it's a flaw, not a virtue—especially since most people don't even have three or four things they care about.

The saddest part is that people who have nothing better to do than sit around drinking coffee all day—even for an hour during the work week—are judging those who refuse to waste their minutes and hours on things or events that offer zero progress.

ONLY 570,000 hours.

Why all the anger and the attacks? A person has their opinion, you have yours, and that's that. 🤷

Carl Rivera43 said:I’m feeling a bit better lately, which actually helps my memory... plus, I definitely find it easier to retain things during the spring, summer, and early fall than during the late autumn or winter months.

But here’s something I’ve noticed... when my memory is at its peak, I tend to get distracted by trying to juggle too many different thoughts all at once.

Big events—like major holidays, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or even big music festivals that I actually care about—tend to trigger these memories of who I was a year or two ago. It’s actually kind of cool, because being able to look back like that helps me analyze how much has changed.

There’s more going on in the summer, and since the days are longer, it feels different. Sure, the heat can be a total pain sometimes... but still, I’m really trying to push my brain and train it to work better.

It feels like my auditory memory is sharper than my visual memory right now. Still, I’m working on using associations to help me express myself more clearly.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually my slower days for remembering stuff compared to Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and especially Sundays. I think the media plays a role in that too. When I cut back on watching TV, my concentration seems to jump up for a bit, and I feel more grounded. But, I am starting to notice those weird, distorted memories creeping in.

Anyway, I’m just taking it slow and steady, gradually moving through these different ways to sharpen my memory.

Given what you've been storing in there, it’s no wonder your memory is absolute garbage. Just wipe it clean and run a defrag...

Carl Rivera43 said:I’m feeling a bit better lately, which actually helps my memory... plus, I definitely find it easier to retain things during the spring, summer, and early fall than during the late autumn or winter months.

But here’s something I’ve noticed... when my memory is at its peak, I tend to get distracted by trying to juggle too many different thoughts all at once.

Big events—like major holidays, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or even big music festivals that I actually care about—tend to trigger these memories of who I was a year or two ago. It’s actually kind of cool, because being able to look back like that helps me analyze how much has changed.

There’s more going on in the summer, and since the days are longer, it feels different. Sure, the heat can be a total pain sometimes... but still, I’m really trying to push my brain and train it to work better.

It feels like my auditory memory is sharper than my visual memory right now. Still, I’m working on using associations to help me express myself more clearly.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually my slower days for remembering stuff compared to Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and especially Sundays. I think the media plays a role in that too. When I cut back on watching TV, my concentration seems to jump up for a bit, and I feel more grounded. But, I am starting to notice those weird, distorted memories creeping in.

Anyway, I’m just taking it slow and steady, gradually moving through these different ways to sharpen my memory.

Look, those slow, uninspired days aren't actually blocking your creativity. It’s not like being stuck is somehow tied to how much genius you have in you. Just imagine if it worked differently... if you were just sitting there and ideas were constantly flooding in. You’d just write them down... 😵

Roger Campbell said:I have the exact opposite experience. When I’m deep in the weeds with a massive project and the pressure is on, my brain functions like a high-performance engine. But once things settle down and I actually relax? Everything slows to a crawl. If I try to force the stress just to get moving, I end up wrecking my health instead, which leaves me accomplishing absolutely nothing in the end.

Yeah, exactly like that...

Lawrence Bailey77 said:I’ve been dealing with some persistent issues lately regarding my short-term memory and focus... 🐔

though I can certainly recall the username zoki89 quite clearly!

Cheers to you, a true legend of humanity 🙂

I’d much rather have a sharp short-term memory than a decent long-term one plus a functional short-term one... 😬

Carl Rivera43 said:Based on what?

Personally, I think sucking up to people is usually just a temporary phase—though, let's be honest, it definitely helps when you're trying to climb the ladder at a place like Goldman Sachs.

And what’s the end goal with all that brown-nosing? A raise? Becoming the boss's best friend? Something?
If that's what you're after, fine. But you're ultimately screwing over your coworkers and yourself. You can't build real relationships on hypocrisy. Just ask yourself: would you actually want to work for a manager who was being fake with you? Try looking at it from the other side...

Richard Wells said:Oh, really? Think about that again, because there definitely are lines in the sand. Some people have way more respect for others than others do. It goes as far as someone thinking they have the right to take a life.

I'm not saying everything is black and white, but let's be real—there is definitely some bad news out there.

Taking a life and being "corrupt." But what if someone takes a life because they were experiencing a total mental breakdown?

gentlelynx11 said:Being corrupt isn't just something defined by individual experience. It isn't some vague psychological label you just toss around.

Besides, regardless of what anyone thinks, objectivity actually carries weight. Something is objectively true whether one person recognizes it or absolutely no one does. Objectivity isn't about persuasion; it's about reality. 🙂

Sure, we all know the textbook definition of corruption, but what I'm getting at is how people weigh its importance depending on the situation. Their perception of "corruption" is heavily colored by their own emotional history. For instance, if some thief steals an elderly woman's purse (groundbreaking stuff 🤣), she’s almost certainly going to judge every thief by that same standard because of what she went through. Meanwhile, someone who hasn't dealt with that will see things differently. If that same woman hears on the news that a thief robbed a Shell station and swiped some cigarettes (really original 🤣), she'll immediately link it back to her own trauma... whereas maybe that guy was just starving. Is a person truly corrupt if they're forced to steal just to eat?

electricmaker9 said:Well, I did try showing up without calling first, and even though his car was sitting right there in the driveway, nobody in the house would open the door for me, even after I waited around for about fifteen minutes. Then I called him yesterday, and he immediately made some excuse about having a cold, which felt like a total lie just to keep me away, even though I hadn't even asked him anything specific.

If he isn't living alone, then try reaching out to the people he actually lives with—family or roommates—and go from there...

Jonathan Hayes said:In the long run? No. But sometimes post-traumatic experiences hit so hard that a person honestly just doesn't know how to survive or move forward without pushing them down. Of course, everything eventually comes back to haunt you... sooner or later...

It’s a completely normal reaction. Everyone processes trauma and high-stress situations differently. It’s actually the body’s way of trying to maintain some kind of equilibrium for a while, just until the brain is ready to process everything on a conscious level.

What does it actually mean to be a "corrupt" person?
What kind of criteria are we even using here to define corruption?
If everyone is just defining "badness" based on their own personal baggage and how they felt during a specific interaction, then there’s zero objectivity to it all...
It isn't all black and white. You can't just sort people into neat little boxes like that. Everyone carries a whole lifetime of history underneath the surface.

electricmaker9 said:I haven't heard from or seen a friend of mine who deals with schizophrenia in about two months now. Every single time I try to give them a call, they just come up with some excuse about why they can't head out, or they find a way to talk me out of coming over too, using one reason or another. We used to hang out and really talk all the time, but now, suddenly, there's just nothing. I'm starting to think they might not even be leaving the house at all, honestly. Has anyone else dealt with something like this before? :/

You’re the one who knows him best, so you’ll have to be the judge. Have you thought about just dropping by unannounced? I've seen cases where people dealing with schizophrenia hit an acute psychotic phase—hallucinations, derealization, dissociation, all that stuff—and they basically just barricade themselves inside. They stop going to work, stop showering, cut everyone off completely... It's heavy. I actually knew a woman who went through something very similar; she was so deep in psychosis that her neighbors and the community had to step in, and eventually, the police and paramedics had to be called to get her out of the apartment.