ahjushi · HackerTrans

It's tough because sometimes these things can feel like a "tax", i.e. the general public does not need this item so they don't purchase it, but I now have to since there are no longer any alternatives. Seems like perhaps an inconsequential amount for a straw, but it's just another cost most people don't need to consider and shoulder (mobility tools like wheelchairs, maybe specific medicines, etc.). It all adds up.

ahjushi

7 lat temudiscuss

Shipping these back and forth seems to add much more waste (and cost) to the equation.

I'd rather see grocery stores expand their "bulk sections" (where you self-serve just the amount you need and pay per weight) more. In its current iteration it's generally limited to nuts, oats, and grains and it uses a lot of plastic bags, but I know some stores that offer glass containers to purchase or you can bring your own.

Imagine being able to get almost anything in this way at the grocery store. Just want a pint of ice cream? Bring your glass jar and have the attendant scoop it for you (like at a real ice cream shop). Just want a few chips as a snack instead of the normal bags? Bring a reusable container and grab just a couple.

I feel like this offers a lot more flexibility and would truly reduce waste. A drawback though is that you have to remember to bring all your containers when shopping, but with enough practice it becomes second nature (like bringing reusable bags nowadays).

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

In addition to that, AirBnB takes a lot of the headache out for hosts in regards to local laws.

In San Francisco for example, AirBnB collects and remits the local hotel tax on behalf of hosts, making that a non-issue for hosts. But when I used AirBnB in Italy I had to meet the host and they needed to charge me the tax, print a receipt, and had me sign something...all which I imagine was because at the time or in that locale AirBnB had not set up that convenience for hosts yet. And in SF, they only do this if AirBnB is the sole platform you use--if you use multiple then you'd have to collect/remit taxes yourself I believe. Probably not an issue for someone who rents out multiple units and treats AirBnB as their main job, but for the little guy that just wants to make a few extra bucks from an extra couch, room, etc. here and there AirBnB navigating the tax stuff is huge.

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

Without lines/borders, where does one nation end and another begin? If you are suggesting no nations, what laws are you subject to and what protections do you have?

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

"Imaginary" doesn't mean useless or meaningless. Let's take a look at this at a smaller scale: property lines. Assuming one has a front yard within their property lines, that line too is "imaginary" in that it may not be explicitly demarcated or labeled. Would you be fine with anyone and everyone chillin in your front yard? If you want to make the argument that border lines are imaginary, can you even call your front yard "yours"?

We can abolish borders, but that doesn't seem like a future rooted in reality. Who governs who? Sounds like you want everyone to live under one "nation"...like are you really advocating for world peace?

What laws are you subject to? What protections do you have? These are all dependent on which side of the border you land, therefore you have to set where one side ends and where another begins.

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

Some readers are asking what's the point since germs are everywhere? I was actually quite interested in this. As a practitioner of BJJ, a common rule among schools/dojos is to not allow you to train with dirty gis, and a lot recommend washing it as soon as possible after sessions. Staph is an ever-present (though not incredibly common) concern with all the sweat, rolling around, and close contact. A bit grossed out to read that washing doesn't do all too much to reduce germs and therefore chances of staph.

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

Would you say this course would help learn languages? I'm currently self-studying Japanese, so adding another "class" would be difficult time-wise. But if this Coursera course would help, it might be worth the time for me. Thanks!

ahjushi

8 lat temudiscuss

Devil's advocate: are you really paying them for a service? I guess it depends on if you pay your bill in full each month, but for those that do pay in full, credit cards provide so many "free" benefits (travel perks, cash back, loss protection, extended warranties, so on). So for those, credit cards provide excellent services requiring no payment at all--it could almost be seen as a club with benefits that one joins, and if that's the case why not impose their moral compass onto its members (like most clubs do)?

That said, I generally agree with you.

ahjushi

9 lat temudiscuss

Not much different from cartoons/channels targeted at children on television IMO.

ahjushi

9 lat temudiscuss

Or just ask the person filling it up to do it for you.

ahjushi

9 lat temudiscuss

There's nothing stopping one from going to a special theatre for that one film shot in 70mm. But most movies are not that.

ahjushi

9 lat temudiscuss

From my understanding a delivery person cannot get into your house at any time--you are not giving them any code to your door. They are scanning a barcode on your package via the camera, and that will be their "key". No package, no key. Good consideration about the alarm code, though even with it they couldn't get in unless they have a verified delivery.

ahjushi

9 lat temudiscuss

Anecdotally, both my parents (almost 70) have an insane amount of tabs open because they simply don't understand how tabs work. Every time they want to go somewhere else they open a new tab instead of using the current one, and they almost never close em. So this could be great for the less tech-savvy.

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