rufus

I read a few and saw a few movies that tell me otherwise... Discussing an hypothetical "perfect murder"... Detailing how they were murdered with a frozen icicle so there won't be any weapon or fingerprints left...

I mean those examples are a bit exaggerated. But there are pretty realistic stories. And I'd say the lines between story and guide aren't always that clear. That's part of the thrill. The good ones are kinda detailed enough to be both.

Same goes for historical records.

And I think if you grow up completely sheltered from evil and true life, you're bound to miss out, not to know aboud bad things. You won't have any understanding or defense against it and will get exploited. And you're missing half of the fun and intelligence that would otherwise be your potential. Also you can't keep kids from having to make their own decisions forever. At some point they need the tools and knowledge to decide for themselves.

I can recommend the sci-fi dystopia "The Giver" about that. (The sheltering part, not the murder mysteries.) But read the book, the movie isn't good at all. And read it while you're young, it's probably more suited for adolescents than for adults.

Disagree. YouTube recommends me a lot of videos about science, Linux, nerd stuff, certain kinds of politics... It's an entirely different feed for my wife with her interests matched. Also my 65 yo relatives read completely different news articles than the ones I read. Same with Instagram, TokTok and Telegram groups they're a member of. It's not a slightly more niche thing, it's a completely different perspective on the world and what's important.

10 years ago we all used to watch the same 8 'o clock news... It has completely changed.

And it's on an entire different level than 15 years ago when the choice was like 5 different newspapers with a slightly different political focus. You're right that echo chambers, tribalism and groups have always existed. But the internet did quite something and brought it to a whole next level. Mass media is close to dead and it's the recommendation algorithm of the tech companies who shape the perspectives of most of the people. Tailored to their filter bubble.

And with the 2 party system and the politicians not addressing the problems... I agree. I think that's one of the major problems. And the USA has pioneered being an echo chamber for the "western world". I'd agree that it happened way earlier and is more pronounced than in other parts of the world. And these aren't healthy or sustainable dynamics.

I think echo chambers is what the current form of the internet has provided us with. Especially the recommendation algorithms that make it so convenient. And it's a downwards-spiral in itself.

Also politics in the USA seems to have that baked in. Two parties, strong opinions about everything and you need to take sides. Everything needs to be simple truths and about people, less about complicated topics and diversified perspectives. You're either supporting something or the enemy.

Also in the present time some people struggle with the choices available to them. Some want guidance, simple truths and something to identify themselves with. It's a part of being human to look for a way to define your own identity. And to want a group to belong to.

So we end up in a situation where everything is pushing towards it. People longing for recognition and validation, tribalism being part of our psychology. Companies pushing for it with their platforms and algorithms. And politicians recognizing and exploiting it to their advantage.

And I rarely see politicians talk about tackling actual issues... Saying it'll take some effort but we need to address xyz, it's the way forward. They rather make it emotional, make a show out of it. Other things would be widely unpopular in the US.

Good question. I like Lemmy because there is no doom-scrolling. Of course it's a bit more complicated if you want some distraction available whenever you want. In the old times people read magazines or newspapers. Maybe an RSS feed reader with some blogs, but that won't be interactive. You can also use Mastodon or other social media. Mastodon is a bit more populated than Lemmy. I also like podcasts and there is a plethora of good podcasts around... But that's not "micro".

I don't get that either.

Sure. To prepare someone to become a responsible adult, they need information. Learn things good and bad. Understand especially WHY people do things and consequences of actions.

I mean if you exclude half the truth, your kids will not learn how to judge things and make decisions.

And things not being etically 100% correct is not a reason to hide them altogether. I mean my mom also reads murder mystery stories and murder is not okay... I think beginning with a certain age it is important to learn also about ambiguous stuff. It's part of life.

That doesn't mean I'd have to teach them myself. But I'd talk to them and make sure they learned the right things.

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of the Moon

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - K.G.

Pendulum - Immersion

Sure, I mean the needs and wants of the consumer and the companies can be opposed to each other. It'd be convenient for the companies if it were simple(r). Maybe at the cost of the people.

I'm not that gifted with the lawmaking process in the USA. I don't really understand what is the responsibility of whom, national or federal... It sounds to me more like an issue with complexity of having a federal republic than anything with privacy...

And I mean you already have different legislation in all of the states that affect businesses and what they can sell to whom. (And how.)

I suppose the license only counts after you aquired the program. Not before.

Free software means that the software's users have freedom. (The issue is not about price.)

Specifically, free software means users have the four essential freedoms: (0) to run the program, (1) to study and change the program in source code form, (2) to redistribute exact copies, and (3) to distribute modified versions.

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html#selling

( https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/philosophy.html )

Yeah, I'm probably forgetting some of the products. Like ketchup which some people mentioned... I don't drink soda that often. But you're right with beverages in general. I'm picky with beer and that's always one of two or three (local) brands. And I'm not sure about the convenience products. Could be a cultural difference or me refusing to buy overpriced powdered seasonings... I buy spices and pasta and do it myself, at least most of the times. I mean I've never tasted hamburger helper, I can't comment on that.