So it’s like he’s been vaccinated.

there is a bubble of “USA” around him.

I like this visual. It’s like a force field.

That’s really amazing. Their joke article was hilarious even as a joke. But the fact that they really bought it is beautiful.

I thought that was a joke. But regular news sites are running the story. So maybe it’s real?

My “primitive motivations” are on full display, not covered at all. The “primitive motivation” is to show your kid how to not let people walk all over you.

You absolutely should not be a third wheel for the adulterous ex and her cheating-partner guy.

I never said anything about teaching lessons to the ex. You brought that idea in from nowhere.

100%. At best it’s extremely disrespectful. At worst it’s a petty power play. And you don’t want to teach your child to allow themselves to be treated that way.

No. I actually think it sets a bad example for the kid. Your wife is allowed to leave you and be with somebody else. But she’s wretchedly petty to transform you into a third wheel in front of your child. Your kid should see that you’re above that. Just like your kid needs to see that you can still get along with the mother.

I forgive them. English is a complex beast.

It sure do.

Teams is the name of the application, singular.

Teams *are the name of the application, singular.

Microsoft Teams *are dogshit.

I’ve been doing it wrong!

I go back and forth between reading novels and difficult non-fiction books. Also, I read in the morning with coffee and in the evening with non-caffeinated tea.

When I fall out of my reading habit, I restart it by reading a page-turner. Stephen King, Neal Stephenson, whoever.

When reading a difficult book (philosophy) I treat it like a serious undertaking, something I might not be ready for. I have a dictionary nearby. I’m here to learn, to struggle. And it’s like a sport. But an extremely edifying and satisfying sport. It’s like climbing a mountain. Some philosophy books require reading like three other philosophy books first. These are geniuses talking to each other, and I just get to watch.

And when I’m done with a difficult book, I follow it up with a page-turner. Alastair Reynolds, some comedy novel, or whatever.

I never read a book “just because it’s a classic.” That’s no fun. There has to be something about the book that makes me want to read it.

And I try not to read multiple books at the same time. I’m currently breaking that rule.

Edit:

Also, find your niche. I never feel guilty about not reading. I just love all the experiences and ideas I get from books. You do it for the love of it. So find the kind of book you love. History (of Europe, of technology, of whatever), spy novels, whatever!

‘Unusable’ social media apps.

You write very well, and communicate coherently. I don’t get a “low intelligence” vibe from the structure of your post. Although the negative focus suggests an unhealthy fixation.

It sounds like you might have good emotional intelligence. I think you can find something you’re good at, develop that natural talent into a strong skill, and just give yourself to that.

Also remember that negative thinking creates bad outcomes. I know it’s not your fault, and your negative thinking comes from negative experiences, but you’re clearly demonstrating a kind of intelligence in how you communicate.

Short answer: yes, there’s hope for you. You’re so young. You have time to find what you’re good at and give yourself to that.

Yeah, it totally does mean something. But you shouldn’t let that knowledge keep you in a box. You really have to find out what you’re good at and give yourself to that.

I’m buying a new fleet of Ferraris

We try to discourage siloization of projects and emphasize cross-training

This is how my work has been and it allowed me to touch every part of the repo while still a junior dev and gain lots of experience. So I also like that. But lately I’m trying to specialize more and go deep into things, and I like the idea of being an expert on something. So I appreciate the trade-offs.

all bets are off with offshore contractors. Some want to learn, some simply don’t care and will do the bare minimum.

As a guy who was replaced by offshore contractors, and who hasn’t had a single interview in 7 months while offshore contractors are (probably) still getting lots of work… I find this observation both heartening and disheartening.

Apparently he didn’t watch the movie.

Everybody in my team gets to own something.

Oh I like this.