Not-so-fun fact: 87% of US citizens can be identified with gender, ZIP code, and full DOB.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...

Can I point out something obvious? It's not 1974 anymore.

Lighting technology has advanced. Battery technology has advanced. Retro-reflective tape and markers are incredibly cheap and effective. Small $1 AA or AAA flashlights can output more lumens than the 2D lights of '74. Worst case, a smartphone can be used as a reasonable light.

Since 1974, the US has stopped putting lead in gasoline. We enforced smoking bans. We allowed women to have the same financial rights as men. And we can try permanent DST again.

The science fiction comic book "Transmetropolitan" covered this in issue #8 "Another Cold Morning".

It's a standalone story, that deals with being revived in the future. It's a truly heartbreaking story.

(Disclaimer: The writer - Warren Ellis - is a bit *ahem* problematic in the comics community. No shame if you decide not to support him monetarily.)

A number of people in support groups and self-help groups swear by ChatGPT.

I do my best to gently dissuade them, but it usually lands on deaf ears.

You described benefits to people who are struggling as "hand out money and resources to an elite group". And then you tried to weasel your way out by claiming "everyone is elite". Benefits to SNAP recipients is very different than tax breaks for millionaires.

Your literal next sentence was "No wonder I don't miss it". You dismissed the harm being done to 'those people', so you could make it about yourself.

You're not the victim. You're punching down, and then trying to play a DARVO card after being called out.

Even the libertarian role-model Ayn Rand accepted government assistance for herself.

If you're truly taking delight in the harm of others, you should seek qualified mental help.

#Privileged or #Mom'sBasement?

People aren't getting paychecks, and some who are working without paychecks may not get back pay. SNAP ("food stamps") payments aren't going out, so people are going to go hungry.

Those missed payments have bigger impacts. People who don't have money or benefits can't make purchases*, which impacts grocery stores and other retailers.

Change the graph to "% of homes with SNAP" to understand the scale of hardship you're (gleefully?) advocating: https://databayou.com/communit...

* Paying interest on food and other necessities is a losing proposition.

Since we depend on nature, there's very little room for error.

Invasive species are a great example of consequences that are (often) unintended.

TIL!

Thank you internet stranger!

Your wish has been granted!

They're called "featurephones" and (many) resemble early 2000's cellphones.

For someone wanting a smartphone, a good case goes a long way. I've dropped my iPhone 14 onto pavement several times with zero damage.

The person I was responding to had a straw man of "let the market decide".

Which standard? In 25 years, Apple had four different standards (Firewire, 40 pin, Lightning, and now USB-C)... the latter of which was only by EU rules.

Prior to that, the only standardization was the EU's micro-USB guidelines.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

Let me tell you about the "old days" - the late 90's and early 2000's. Every brand of portable device (cellphone, MP3 player, etc) had a different charging port. Very often different devices within brands would require different chargers. Since USB was still catching on, all of the wall-warts and car chargers were specific to each device.

There were brands (iGo) that made changeable "tips" for their chargers... But for the most part, chargers weren't interchangeable. Buying a new device required a new charger, and disposing of the old one.

Is -that- what you're pining for?

I was going to reply to your points, but then I realized this is a Gish Gallop.

FYI: Erythritol doesn't cause that same level of stomach upset as other. It's not a perfect 1:1 substitute for sugar, but it's much less of a trigger for bathroom issues.