Enthusiastic sh.it.head

  • 31 Posts
  • 796 Comments
Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: June 9th, 2023

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  • I’d go more mentally competent. Are you capable of understanding the risks and what the end state actually is? You’ve had some time after the doctor has demonstrably given you the whole set of information to make an informed decision? You still want to move forward? K, here’s a surgery date.

    Might just be me, but mental stability has some slippery connotations (thinking about the history of the term hysteria, different forms of social stigma turned into pathology, etc.) But we could very well be talking about the same thing using a different word.



  • Eh…I’d want a lot more effort spent to ensure patients are given 100% accurate, fully informed information re: outcomes and upkeep, and give consent only after seriously weighing that, but I dunno about banning purely cosmetic surgery.

    A) I like the idea that humans have the freedom to modify their own bodies in whatever ways they see fit, so long as they accept the risks and realistic outcomes, and B) Banning would just create more underground practices, which is particularly bad for patient safety.



  • This reminded me of something my dad told me when I was younger. It was mostly to justify saying that no, I did not need a TV in my room, but still kinda interesting:

    In many cultures (definitely the ones my family grew out of), the fire served as a gathering spot. People would talk about stuff, share food and jokes, and relax together. It was a shared experience and source of comfort that helped strengthen interpersonal bonds.

    His argument was that the family TV served a similar function (without the whole ‘also it’s the means for cooked food’ aspect, which shouldn’t be overlooked). It’s a point that made some sense to me at that stage of late 20th century mainstream society.

    Hmm…the 21st century, defined as billions of little fires, and many of us cold. There’s a really pretentious poem here somewhere.


  • Short term?
    -Keep hydrated. This one is key.
    -Take an OTC painkiller for the headache.
    -Splash your face with really cold water a few times and go for a brisk walk during a break/lunch period (when I was in office my lunches were pretty small/quick to eat to maximize doing-anything-else time, YMMV).
    -Depends on your working environment, but if you have the ability to do at least some of your work standing, stand.
    -If you’re crazy drowsy and just need some means to stay conscious until clock out, a rubber band on the wrist can help. If you start to space out/feel your eyes start to close, give it a snap. Not the greatest thing, but a little pain can release some useful endogenous chemicals.
    -If anyone has little candies in the office, ask if you can take some. The sugar in well-timed doses can help a little.

    Medium term?
    -When you get home, pack up some dried tea/tea bags of acceptable quality, and immediately place it in your ‘going to work’ kit (bag, car, whatever) so you have a stash in case you forget to make a thermos/whatever of tea the following (and subsequent) mornings.
    -Go talk to whoever stocks the tea at work and let them know they’ve expired. They may not drink tea themselves, and if no one else has brought it up they may not know/haven’t checked in a while.

    Long term?
    -Ween yourself off of caffeine. Slowly start swapping out your tea stash with herbal teas with no caffeine content (some are quite tasty), and reduce the amount of caffeine you’re inbibing bit by bit until it’s 0.
    -Work on adjusting your sleep schedule.


  • If you don’t have the means to help with what they’re asking for, a quick “Sorry, can’t help today” and going about your business is they way to go. It’s not a full on engagement, but it is an acknowledgement.

    Back when I was a smoker, if I didn’t have means to help with cash but had some smokes to spare and a little time I’d say “No, but if you smoke I can share one with you” and, if they were into it, stop and chat for a cigarette break’s length of time. Lots of factors to consider here before doing that, but for the most part people enjoyed the acknowledgement for a few minutes. YMMV.











  • I’d say it’s a little thornier than that. By tipping, you support the person who has to take the job that doesn’t pay them a living wage. Absolutely, this can have the side effect of supporting the system creating this condition, but so too does patronizing businesses that employ this practice. The best move if you don’t want to support the system is to not patronize businesses that function this way at all. Increasing corporate revenue while not contributing to the welfare of the person who had to take that job is not a morally better position.

    Feel somewhat similar about giving money to beggars, though with slightly more emphasis on the voluntary nature of the act (which itself could be fodder for moral discussion - what’s the difference between Jack the Hobo’s and Jack the Barista’s experience?). End of the day, while systematic overhaul so both of these conditions are irrelevant is warranted, for both groups it’s about survival until the next day (yes, for some beggars survival includes dope, withdrawl is hell). The revolution ain’t coming tomorrow, and even if it did there’s time required to get these folks what they need. It’s entirely possible they wouldn’t make it to that point without voluntary support from individuals or small groups.