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The greatest of The Great Courses
I've just noticed that Kanopy via my public library has a ton of The Great Courses available to watch. Which ones are the best?
The world's a terrifying dystopia but at least give me better rain gear
What is the best, actually waterproof rain gear? I have a rain jacket from REI that soaks through as soon as you pass the light drizzle phase.
What do you think happens after you die and does it comfort you?
This isn't a question about what specific religions think happens when a person dies. It's a question about what you personally think happens. Do you believe in an afterlife? Do you think you stop existing? Something else? And the important part: does that belief bring you comfort?
How can I make informed choices in my Advanced Healthcare Directive?
I'm working on my Advanced Healthcare Directive, but I'm not actually sure how to answer some of the questions about medical care I do/don't want to receive if I can't make my own decisions. I have a sense of what I want, but I don't know enough to feel like I'm making an informed choice. What factual resources can help me better understand the medical care options? (I'm just asking for resources on the medical care questions, please no advice on any other part of the Advance Healthcare Directive form or process.)
Online RSS reader recommendations
The RSS service I picked out lo, 12 years ago, is now following in the footsteps of Google Reader into the grave. What's the currently recommended online RSS reading service (not an app)?
Kidz Bop in reverse
I love this video of Feist singing 1,2,3,4 on Sesame Street that y2karl just posted, and Elizabeth Mitchell's "Little Bird, Little Bird" that ran at the end of a Futurama episode. Please give me more modern folk-pop artists singing children's songs.
Cookbooks/ Recipe Sites for Simple Meals With Few Speciality Ingredients
I'm looking for cookbooks or online recipe collections specifically designed for people who live alone, move frequently, and so have limited pantries and cooking equipment. The ideal recipes would use a minimal number of readily available ingredients (e.g. 3-5, not counting cooking oil, salt, pepper, etc.) and require only basic cooking methods like pan-frying, boiling, or baking: for example, 'season and saute a salmon fillet, serve with vegetable X prepared in way Y + rice'.
Scale of fatigue severity?
There is a 0-10 scale for pain severity with descriptors, eg
1 = "My pain is hardly noticeable";
5 = "I think about my pain all of the time, I give up many activities because of my pain";
8 = "My pain is so severe that it is hard to think of anything else. Talking and listening are difficult".
Is there any scale like this for describing physical fatigue/physical exhaustion?
My brain is wrong.
I feel like my brain just short circuits periodically. I don't know why and I can't stop screwing up because of it.
How was it growing up in an autocracy?
Has anyone here grown up in an autocracy? How do you think it affected you and other kids?
More language learning advice
I have arrived at the point in my language learning that I am able to express myself fairly clearly in most circumstances, but I don't use some more complicated tenses -- the subjunctive, the conditional -- to do it. I know the rules for using them, but they don't come immediately to mind, so I don't. How can I?
CDMX for the solo traveler
I’m going to Mexico City for work. It will be my third trip in a few years. I have 2 extra days/nights. I am staying in Condesa near Parque Mexico.
What things can you do with a potato other than eat it?
We had this discussion earlier today, but our list was sadly pitiful. There must, surely, be a lot of things you can feasibly do with something as versatile as the potato? Or, maybe not? (And, yes, we thought of putting the potato up your bottom - it's a done thing in England, so there is no need to repeat that suggestion).
Berkshires, specifically Lenox/Pittsfield recs
We are taking a trip to the Berkshires soon to do some hiking. Do you have any up-to-date recommendations for food (vegetarian options a must), shopping and generally weird stuff in the Pittsfield/Lenox area?
Donating to abortion pill providers
I'd like to start donating to groups providing mail-order abortion pills to women in states with abortion restrictions. The only group I'm aware of that does this is in Massachusetts, and its website doesn't have any contact information or info about how to donate. Are any of you aware of similar groups in other states/countries that i might be able to donate to? Thanks
London for the unassuming traveler
I'll be in London for a few days next week with my wife and my daughter, and I'd really like to keep it simple and enjoyable for us.
What principles inform your politics and civic engagement?
I (a non-Catholic) just discovered the Catholic catechism's call for "truth, freedom, justice, and solidarity," and it's been interesting for me to examine my own political goals through the lens of those four nouns. What principles help focus your own civic involvement, and where did you find them?
Travel tips for 10 days in France landing in Lyon
I'm not going to Paris this time and have already been to Nice
Do I need to worry about CBP searching my laptop?
I hate that we have to think like this, but here we are… I’m leaving the United States for a week on vacation in Mexico. When I fly back, it’s easy enough for me to wipe my phone and restore from a backup, but my laptop, not so much. For the purposes of CBP I’m a white cis male citizen (by birth) with a extremely white name. Bring the laptop or leave it home?
music suggestions unlike the ones I've already heard
I love female vocalists, dramatic sometimes uptempo songs, and heavy piano, usually indie/alt genre. Examples inside.
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On the other, it feels egocentric, or perhaps US-centric, to call attention to and demand recognition of our own political beliefs while visiting another country.
This one. Don't bring it up. Most people in other countries are smart enough to understand that there's a wide range of political beliefs in America and that not every... [more]
posted by mekily to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:02 AM
53 users marked this as a favorite
posted by mekily to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:02 AM
53 users marked this as a favorite
> I’ve known Americans to put Canadian patches on the backpacks to avoid drama.
Speaking as a Canadian, please don't do this. [view]
posted by Sauce Trough to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:05 AM
41 users marked this as a favorite
posted by Sauce Trough to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:05 AM
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She is five. Of course she doesn’t “pay heed to authority” - small children don’t think like that. Honestly, it’s perfectly normal and appropriate for kids to be fluid and changing constantly and experimenting at this age and for this to continue for a long time. She is very small. She is not set in stone nor should she be. I’m a little concerned... [more]
posted by mygothlaundry to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 17 at 2:31 PM
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posted by mygothlaundry to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 17 at 2:31 PM
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Every day ends with climbing into bed and losing consciousness. Maybe there will be dreams, maybe not. Hours later, and you're back. Where did you go? Who cares, that's not the point. The point is that I feel comfort in the idea that nature(*) trains you from day one for this. We know what it's like to slip away and not exist for a bit. Eventually... [more]
posted by Rhomboid to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 14 at 3:07 AM
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posted by Rhomboid to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 14 at 3:07 AM
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I absolutely would not risk this. I'm sorry. No one can give you advice, not even a lawyer, because people are being kidnapped by the government and being disappeared without any legal recourse or even being able to talk to a lawyer. Can you zoom into the conference? [view]
posted by Toddles to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 4:17 PM
23 users marked this as a favorite
posted by Toddles to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 4:17 PM
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I think "I" stop perceiving, knowing, existing. This does not comfort me because I'm curious about the future and pretty annoyed that I'll not be around to find out what happens. I mean yeah, "I" am temporary and that's a normal aspect of the universe, but frankly, mortality pisses me off. [view]
posted by inexorably_forward to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 14 at 1:47 AM
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posted by inexorably_forward to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 14 at 1:47 AM
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To be fair I never think about the aristocracy when I use these words because I never use them to refer to people as honorifics
Yeah, it took me a minute to figure out why you were even bringing in the aristocracy to your question. There's not that connotation here at all. It's just a nice way to address all adults. [view]
posted by lapis to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:16 PM
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posted by lapis to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:16 PM
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When I got held up at gunpoint in Brooklyn, the kid who robbed me initiated the encounter with "Excuse me, sir."
Yes, it is very common. [view]
posted by the hot hot side of randy to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:57 PM
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posted by the hot hot side of randy to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:57 PM
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As with many questions about the US, depends on where you are (and also some different background aspects as well).
Generally in the South it’s considered a polite way of addressing people. This is dying out to a certain degree but by no means entirely. A child saying “yes” or “no” to an adult would be considered by many to be incomplete unless... [more]
posted by raccoon409 to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:09 PM
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posted by raccoon409 to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:09 PM
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I was thinking about this the other day as a man was trying to break into my apartment. I was wondering how stupid I sounded to the 911 operator when I was yelling at the guy and calling him ‘sir’: “Go away, sir! The cops are on the way, sir!” I decided it was very polite of me. [view]
posted by dianeF to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 10:02 PM
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posted by dianeF to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 10:02 PM
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It was borderline compulsory in the Southeast when I lived there, especially for children addressing adults. It seemed to be that children had to use an honorific with a name ("Ms Julie," "Mrs Jones") or else "sir" or "ma'am."
The "thank you, sir" does generally come across as subservient and I... [more]
posted by lapis to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:10 PM
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posted by lapis to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 8:10 PM
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Seeing your update, Just wanted to add that she does get into a ton of trouble at school because of the peer-following mischief, so it’s unclear that she’s simply typical. (emphasis mine)
A kindergartner getting into trouble because of completely normal developmental behavior means you have a school/administration/teacher problem,... [more]
posted by berkshiredogs to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 2:39 AM
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posted by berkshiredogs to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 2:39 AM
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I would assume a friendly American engaging politely and appropriately with a foreign culture is not one who would support Trump, so just be like that. [view]
posted by EndsOfInvention to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:21 AM
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posted by EndsOfInvention to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 11:21 AM
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My advice might be one to circle back to a few steps down the road - and but I’ll type it all up anyway -
I just had a Very Uncomfy Conversation yesterday with a colleague I’m project managing who’s experiencing exactly these issues. Actually I thought you might be that colleague until I saw the example details. As someone who’s myself highly... [more]
posted by seemoorglass to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 4:01 PM
17 users marked this as a favorite
posted by seemoorglass to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 18 at 4:01 PM
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How often is your child empowered to make her own choices at home? Does she have opportunities to make her own decisions? Is independent choice encouraged by you and her other parent? Are the choices she makes on her own met with praise or indifference or scolding? Are "wrong" choices punished? Does she get to see you and her other... [more]
posted by phunniemee to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 17 at 1:53 PM
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posted by phunniemee to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 17 at 1:53 PM
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A lawyer isn't going to be able to help you when the law isn't being respected or followed. [view]
posted by BlahLaLa to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 6:12 PM
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posted by BlahLaLa to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 6:12 PM
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Bring only data that you don’t mind being copied into a DOGE-run server. [view]
posted by Lemkin to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 5:20 PM
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posted by Lemkin to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 5:20 PM
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I use the free version of Feedly and it works fine for me. I think it has all the features you request. [view]
posted by metasarah to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 7:16 AM
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posted by metasarah to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 7:16 AM
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Mustard sauce. [view]
posted by vunder to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 11:55 AM
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posted by vunder to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 15 at 11:55 AM
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Believe me, the answer to the above is the administration. [view]
posted by Dolley to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 10:35 AM
14 users marked this as a favorite
posted by Dolley to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 19 at 10:35 AM
14 users marked this as a favorite