I think the internet would be a lot better if more people could articulate why they personally don't like something without insulting the intelligence, taste or morals of people who do enjoy that thing

This isn't a subchost of anything or any single post in particular, but it's something I've noticed is very common on here

tbh it's. A little frustrating here, and it's one of the reasons people I know who refuse to use cohost cite for not doing so. We need to be more accepting of people who just. Enjoy things we don't.

particularly in techy circles (not just here! its a problem everywhere, although i've definitely experienced it here a few times), there's a pervasive elitism around things that's not super easy to recognize, until people start being elitist against things you like. like, linux is cool and all, but don't use that as an excuse to reign supreme over people who use windows because they're comfortable with it and it works for them. programming languages are also really bad with this too - like, i'm a webdev, and i genuinely don't hate it, i like building websites and working with web frameworks. and i know javascript/the wider web ecosystem really isn't in a perfect state rn but i can only laugh along with dunking on it for so long until it just becomes... sigh... yknow?

it takes a conscious effort to weed this mentality out. it's not easy to start catching yourself when you play into it, and stopping yourself. but its worth it to make a more welcoming space for more people.

Y’know, rechost. I’ll try to be better.

me: worrying about other people getting long covid

society: you are a bad person for worrying about this

And nobody wants to talk about this.

My wife had a random virus infection in her teens, and something broke in her body, leaving her with chronic fatigue. She was unable to continue her education and was never able to work more than 20 hours part-time doing administrative work. Even now, some seventeen years later, she is still extremely tired after going out for a walk.

She has what is classified as a mild case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME/CFS. Why is it mild? Because she's still able to go outside and take care of herself. That's the fate we're condemning people to when we accept that some 15% of people coming down with COVID-19 will develop "mild" cases of Long Covid.

this is a common outcome.
and the chance increases with every new covid infection.

My colleagues at work: “That’s not what I’m hearing on my news feed.”
My girlfriend: “This isn’t your fight. You have, what, 5 vaccines? I’ll mask if it makes you feel better…”
My parents: “It’s just like the flu now.”
The government: “HA HA. FUCK YOU. Your life is less important than the line going up.”

I honestly don’t know what to do. The school board isn’t likely to listen if I don’t have kids, and they don’t have money or time for air purifiers anyway. The government isn’t likely to listen because I don’t have much money. My colleagues won’t listen because they’re done with mask mandates. I’m anxious and introverted and I’m bad at reaching out to the people around me. But this weekend I’m thinking of draft an open letter to my colleagues about this.

If anyone knows of any reputable scientific publications discussing the current Covid situation, please send them to me. It might help.

this meeting could've been a meow

Mrrrp?

i'm losing my mind, i've always felt this way and never heard it vocalized so concisely

Imagine, if you will, cutting out the portrait’s face as wearing a mask.

It’s expressionless and unconvincing but those around you seem to believe in it more than they believe in you, because when it’s up you get called “brave” and “smart” and “exceptional” and “gifted” (all stinging like insults), and if it slips, or Heaven forbid if you lock up or melt down, that’s all the real you, and they’ll fall on you like a hawk on a rabbit.

So, as much as it hurts and exhausts you, and makes you feel worse by all metrics, it any wonder that you never take it off altogether? Is it any wonder that your self-consciousness is anchored with self-hatred? Is it any wonder that therapy and psychiatry and mindfulness all ring hollow? it any wonder that there is more than one of you living in your head? Is it any wonder that you dream of losing your mind?

And, of course, the less said about your portrait lacking a face, the better.