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besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What upcoming video games are you looking forward to?

It's mainstream, but Fallout 4. That game alone makes me want to craft a PC Gaming desktop.

It's not so cute, but my parents, as way of sarcastic motivation, would always say to me: "You tried your hardest and failed miserably. And what did you learn? Don't try." Which I'm pretty sure is a good Simpsons quote.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What do you think is the closest thing to a modern-day witch hunt?

I hadn't even considered internet trolling as an option. That's totally true. I've seen it happen as well where a certain person, politicians and celebrities included, will become targeted. On websites where people can be largely anonymous, death threats and calls for violence can be quick to surface, and bandwagoning is common. Online spamming is definitely equivalent to a mob mentality. I hadn't considered that before. With modern resources, it takes about 3 clicks for you to ruin someone's life, and I think a lot of people forget that the internet is still very much real life.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What upcoming video games are you looking forward to?

My brother swears by PCPartPicker, I'll be there soon once I get the money.

besthubris  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What book has impacted you the most?

Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov made me a 17-year-old nihilist.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What upcoming video games are you looking forward to?

Every time I hear mention of the game Spore, I think part of me dies. Such a missed opportunity. Civilization V does really well as a substitute for the the civilization stage (duh) of it though.

I think states banning fireworks are missing an important source of revenue. I live in Iowa, where fireworks are still illegal. At major holidays, (and pretty much in general) this doesn't stop fireworks from being used. My brothers just drive south into Missouri to buy them, and Iowa misses out on the tax revenue. Now, there's currently a bill in the Iowa house to legalize them. Making fireworks illegal hasn't solved any safety issues. But then again, explosives have never been heralded for their safety.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Do you keep a journal or a notebook?

I'm a big fan of the multiple journal approach. I keep one with me at all times to write down thoughts that occur to me over time, and then I also keep a journal to keep track of thoughts related to books I'm reading. I've found that the biggest benefit to keeping a daily journal is that it helps me be more observant. I'm more aware of events and places surrounding me. I've noticed more in the past year than ever before.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: How do you feel about underlining in your books?

That's my issue. I feel like if I'm reading for pleasure, I should just leave the pen alone and enjoy the book. But I'm the same way, if I feel like I'm going to reread the book, I shouldn't ruin the perfect condition. I don't go to college for a month yet, so until next week I'm blissfully unaware of textbook costs.

Not so much hah, but I'm currently reading East of Eden, by Steinbeck, and it puts the "Cain and Abel" Christian parable in a new light. Basically, instead of Cain being punished by God for murdering his brother, he instead is given the power to defeat sin. "Human morality can triumph" or something.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What was the latest book you read?

I'm currently rereading Infinite Jest. By far one of the best books I have ever read. I have a minor freak out whenever I find anyone else who is reading it. I'll try and hold back my affection.

besthubris  ·  3431 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Gamers: what games have you been playing recently, and what do you think of them?

I have the same conflict with Witcher. I want to play it so badly, but then I get into it and it feels like there's almost too much going on. I'm worried about progressing through the game because I don't want to miss something, but then I end up pretty much going nowhere. It's gorgeous though.

besthubris  ·  3402 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Dear hubski, why are you proud of yourself?

And some days it's difficult to be a human being.

That's rad. I might go just in case they play "Picture of a Tree." Love that song.

What was their setlist like? I've only recently discovered these guys, but I'm really into everything I've heard.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What do you think is the closest thing to a modern-day witch hunt?

Politicians ask the best type of questions.

You'd think they'd be able to make just as much in taxes as they would from expensive fines and tickets. I think the more important thing is for fireworks themselves to be closely regulated. While you can't prevent people from being idiots, maybe some people could be saved from harm if inexpensive and potentially more defective fireworks were removed from the equation.

Also, props to you on the relevant username.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What book has impacted you the most?

The creation of a religion based on "harmless untruths" really spoke to me. Whenever I have seemingly arbitrary encounters with people repeatedly, I can't help but think in terms of the karass.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Ex-Iowa State scientist gets prison for faking HIV research

As an incoming freshman at Iowa State, this is great news. Nothing like research fraud to help a reputation.

besthubris  ·  3428 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Alright, Hubski, what are you drinking?

I can't actually put my finger on it. It tastes a lot richer with a lower fat content. Why, I couldn't say. But if you ever have the chance to go to Denmark, I highly recommend it.

besthubris  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: High school graduate here, I'm stuck on figuring out what to do with my life!

I'm in the exact same situation as you are. I'm an aspiring writer, but I don't really have any concept of how to turn that into a tangible job. However I would recommend taking a trip or a vacation or something. It doesn't have to be a backpacking-across-Europe extravaganza (though it could be), it could be as simple as a series of day trips. I just went on a road trip across the US, and getting out of my hometown helped me think about where I want to go in the future, and it gave me a different perspective on where I already was.

besthubris  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What was the latest book you read?

That book is the only reason I play as much bad tennis as I do. The way he mathematically describes the game using limits was one of the coolest inter-disciplinary discussions I have had the pleasure of reading.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What upcoming video games are you looking forward to?

I think when I upgrade I'm moving to an android phone. I'm reaching this newfound level of maturity where I don't need to follow the Apple hype train, and I'm excited about it.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: How do you feel about underlining in your books?

Whenever I have a pen in my hand, I can never decide what is actually important enough to underline. Thus, I underline probably too much. This is especially apparent in my school books. I'm scared to try and reread my copy of "The Brothers Karamazov" because I think it's riddled with unnecessary underlines and jotted notes.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What upcoming video games are you looking forward to?

I wish I could play it! My phone is too old.

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What was the latest book you read?

My plan is to start The Pale King during the fall semester. How does it compare?

besthubris  ·  3430 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What's the easiest way to win a game of Civilization V?

I've thought about buying Brave New World. Do you think it was worth it?

besthubris  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: High school graduate here, I'm stuck on figuring out what to do with my life!

I did the Udacity programming course, and I found it really helpful. I was in high school at the time, but I could pick it up at night and it felt really low pressure.

The coffee shop atmosphere can be surprisingly conducive to productivity, and you can meet some interesting people. I've gotten into a lot of good discussions about writing style by reading my book at a coffee shop instead of at home.

besthubris  ·  3429 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 130th Weekly "Share Some Music You've Been Into Lately" Thread

I'm seeing Cloud Nothings in my hometown this weekend, and I'm looking forward to it. I liked the entire "Here and Nowhere Else" EP. They remind me a lot of this band I was really into a couple of years ago, No Age.

No Age - Teen Creeps