When talking about randos we don't know, it may be helpful to include a title; like "two-time shark wrestler Joe Budden" or "space golfer Britney Whatever" so we can hopefully pick them out of the 8 billion people on this planet.

Imagine what smartphones would look like if they still had to be powered by AAA batteries.

That's a false comparison. We have Lithium and NiMH batteries available off the shelf for common things that aren't phones. The technology is available for a COTS phone battery replacement, as long as it matched a common form-factor.

And if phones can't work around a common battery form-factor but yet all look like fucking candy-bars, then I call bullshit.

There is a formula that suggested "living X minutes closer to work is worth Y dollars more on the purchase price" because the commute time saved and the health benefits of reduced stress were far worth the added cost -- and it may be like $5k on the mortgage per 1 minute saved. And if the commute dropped to a <= 30min walking commute, the benefits skyrocketed.

You better believe a walking commute factors into planning subway stations.

working from home.

I'm pleased to have switched to a union job that protects my safety and respects my time, by allowing 100% remote work as available -- that's to allow for people to work from the office, but to promote a remote-first approach. The specific wording in the contract is as convoluted as anticipated, but the summary is they have a minimal number of 'hotel' (hot-desk) spots in an actual office, but the spaces they sold back during covid they do not intend to request again.

(For the poor managers more validated by seeing my ass in a chair every day, I say "get help, my ass isn't appealing" and I also mention my day job deals with some pretty private shit, and an actual home office is a straight-forward to certify for ergo and data privacy; but the manager has to want it. And that's how I can spot the fucking pervs)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_demand#Studies

See also 'reduced demand' on the same page.

1. massively over-supply options better than cars
2. people avoid car hassle
3. shrink lanes
4. repeat

But that first step is the killer: I found in my own experience that my transit commute had a maximum bus tolerance of 15-30 minutes (based on traffic) or I'd just not do it. I can ride a train for an hour, but have me sit in traffic on a bus and it's "fuck no".

Ah, so a correlation/causation comprehension conundrum affects both your comments on this page. That's some good coverage, Lou.

dems are already doing is objectively deplorable.

If we still have democracy in 2025 then we can safely protest for policy change.

You’re talking to each other’s ears, not tonguing them

Shrews were tamed like this.

what the hell is the deal with people that walk around in public on speaker phone, with the phone held 2 inches from their head

Like they're eating a pizza or they're some reality TV episode?

It's because they're stupid. Just stupid.

Engineers and designers spend their days optimising the mic and speakers for people holding the phone LIKE A PHONE and these halfwits hold it like a slice of pizza, shouting over the loudspeaker that we all can hear but they can't because they're shouting.

Like an idiot.

Microsoft requires a proof of presence through Windows Hello.

... which requires a hotmail account or something, right?

So no. The only interaction I'll have with this is coding cinc.sh to remove it.

My sister got the one where the scam says her son got into a car accident and - mumbling through 'a broken jaw' so thats why the voice is off - Officer Peterson needs to arrange bail, but off the books.

It was surprisingly effective, and my sister had a freakin' heart attack as any parent would, and THOSE people can rot in a hell made of mealworms, ticks and black flies.

I feel like most everyone

Beware the false consensus. Not all birds are seagulls, but get a plate of chips and that's all you'll see.