Okay, I'm happy with what I have and am ready to share my creativity with you, Kroger fam.
Here goes nothin'.
"Let's go Krogering at (store # here). We got all your shopping needs. To feed the human spirit is our motto. Don't forget to buy your friends some lotto. Full, fresh, and friendly, that's what we are. We'll even help you to your car. Our produce; is fresh for miles. It'll leave you, full of smiles. Head to floral when you get a chance. We'll help you - get some romance. The deli counters full of meat and cheeses. They'll give you a sample, if you pleases. Meat and seafood are out and about. They'll help you when you're in doubt. Got an itch for some charcuterie? Our cheese department is here to please. The bakery keeps serving up sweets. Come on by for a fresh and friendly treat. Grocery is always in stock. They're working, around the clock. You want a cold treat? Then head to frozen. All our brands are specifically chosen. Got a fever a headache or scrape your knee? Head on over to our pharmacy. Our front end team always holding us together. We're always helping, no matter the weather. In a pinch or in a bind? Our pick-up crew will help save your behind. This is why at (store # here), you're treated like royalty!"

 - T.S.333 

So, there it is. In it's glory.
Please, if you share this do not take it as your own.
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Hey guys, I started to work on the crow quest and I just want to check if I’m correctly understanding the way the code is supposed to look like. Up until now, we listed the mini quests’ functions and the codes below them on the cpp file. But as I’m reading through the outline, I understand that it’s a little different this quest compared to the other ones and instead of different mini quests on one file (like the other quests), now it’s different mini quests all relate to each other and you include all the different functions the professor provides us to kind of build it all together in one file. I don’t know if I explained myself good enough but if someone gets my point just confirm me so I don’t go says I’m not supposed to with this quest.

>**What will you be doing with this PC? Be as specific as possible, and include specific games or programs you will be using.\\
I would like to build a SFF PC (due to space constraints) in the Lian Li A4-H2O or similar case. The height clearance should be no more than 13 inches MAX. The PC will be hooked up to an OLED TV for playing games and movies, etc. I play almost all types of games and I'm fine with 1080p 60fps at Medium to High settings for demanding titles. Basically if I can build this to that games will look pretty much the same as they would on PS5 I will be more than content. This is more for couch gaming (console ports, indies) - I have a powerful gaming laptop that I travel with (frequently) that I use for mouse/keyboard titles.
This PC would replace a PS5, essentially. My motivation there is to keep all my games in the Steam/PC ecosystem so that I can play them from the couch, or laptop when traveling, or the Steam Deck (either streaming or natively if they run on it). I am tired of buying games for PS5 and want to consolidate my efforts within Steam/Windows.
I have a ton of experience building PCs so I am comfortable with complex builds and cable routing etc - I just have 2 small kids and no time to research the best value proposition for parts. I would be open to custom cables as well - that just sounds cool and I've never gotten them for a build before.
>**What is your maximum budget before rebates/shipping/taxes?*\*
Rather than a maximum budget, I would prefer to not buy more PC than I will really need to take full advantage of an OLED TV at 120mhz maximum refresh rate. The TV is 4k but I am OK with 1080p and 60fps minimum for demanding titles. I also would like to err on the side of efficiency and modest heat generation as I live in a warm climate and this SFF PC will live in the entertainment center.
In terms of budget ethos - I prefer cost benefit over future proofing. If it's built on a platform that can be easily upgraded later that's cool, but I will focus on 1080p and efficiency for this build due to the above factors.

>**When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Note: beyond a week or two from today means any build you receive will be out of date when you want to buy.*\*
No real urgency. If there is some compelling reason to wait (an approaching generational leap), I'd be open to that.

>**What, exactly, do you need included in the budget? (ToweOS/monitokeyboard/mouse/etc\)*\*
Only PC hardware with OS needed in budget. All peripherals are covered already. If you have handy suggestions for a PC located under the TV that would be welcome (extensions of some sort, lap keyboard, I dunno).

>**Which country (and state/province) will you be purchasing the parts in? If you're in US, do you have access to a Microcenter location?*\*
I will be purchasing all parts in the US. I live in Brazil but travel there frequently for work. I would focus on e-retailers rather than proximity to a Microcenter, for instance.

>**If reusing any parts (including monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse/etc), what parts will you be reusing? Brands and models are appreciated.*\*
N/A

>**Will you be overclocking? If yes, are you interested in overclocking right away, or down the line? CPU and/or GPU?*\*
No overclocking. Perhaps undervolting as needed.

>**Are there any specific features or items you want/need in the build? (ex: SSD, large amount of storage or a RAID setup, CUDA or OpenCL support, etc)*\*
2TB M.2 should be sufficient. It will be wired for internet but nice to include wi-fi on the MB just in case. Integrated GPU can be nice for troubleshooting if the GPU fails too.

>**Do you have any specific case preferences (Size like ITX/microATX/mid-towefull-tower, styles, colors, window or not, LED lighting, etc), or a particular color theme preference for the components?*\*
SFF case - details outlined previously (Lian Li A4-H2O or similar case. The height clearance should be no more than 13 inches MAX).

>**Do you need a copy of Windows included in the budget? If you do need one included, do you have a preference?*\*
Yes include Windows please.

**Extra info or particulars:**

So the popular notion is that it's best to reduce yellow crops as much as possible, so that there is 1 huge crop, well, here I am to challenge that view, hear me out.
Obviously I'm not going to argue that having as much yellow as possible is the way, instead, we want perfect balance, from what I've observed, the best thing to happen is to have around 3-4 yellow crops, and the rest of different colours, now I loosely observed, that boosting a single crop of colour works rather underwhelmingly, it seems that the more you upgrade it the less later upgrades impact the overall outcome (as I've said it's a loose observation, don't have any concrete data to back that up). Furthermore, if you happen to stumble across any video of like 20/30k+ juice harvest, it's bound to have more than 1 yellow crop (since the most you can get on a single crop is probably around 20 tier 3s and 5 tier 4s*, which in itself with 200%+ quant would be around 15k juice).
*that still requires a lot of luck not only with the crops not wilting but with the upgrades themselves
So I firmly believe that every upgrade of 1 colour is best utilised by multiple crops of said colour (probably 3-4 for the most efficient combo) since the upgrading potential of multiple crops is superior to single crop (due to aforementioned reverse snowball effect ((although not entirely confirmed))) even if it means less upgrades overall.
So I don't have any specific data in which I could isolate the factors and confirm that more yellow crops = better, since it's still heavily rng based, but from what I've run the best combination on atlas tree seems to be 3x purple reduced (reducing purple cause it's cheaper than blue) and 1x reduced yellow - I averaged 6,6k yellow juice in 100 maps, whereas with 3x reduced yellow I averaged 6,1k (it really could be due to pure rng, but I believe sample size of 100 maps should be enough)
So let me know what do you think about it, maybe someone did some more rigorous testing and observations.

• Element79 unveils compelling assay results from its Lucero property, showcasing significant gold and silver grades alongside high concentrations of base metals.
• The data from these assays not only lays the groundwork for resource development but also guides the Company’s 2024 drill program, utilizing comprehensive 3D modeling for precision and efficiency.
• Through strategic meetings with artisanal miners and swift responses to community needs like the Chachas landslide, Element79 underscores its commitment to responsible mining practices and meaningful community integration.

https://preview.redd.it/5hnlwg1a4s1d1.png?width=461&format=png&auto=webp&s=f8600b223fc6950ee19a0f98d5ac45b38d1dcb9d
Element79 (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0), a prominent player in the mining industry, is redefining the gold and silver market with its robust portfolio and innovative strategies. With its focus primarily on gold and silver, Element79 stands as a beacon in the mining industry, committed to delivering impressive results while adhering to the highest environmental and social standards. This article sheds light on Element79’s journey, its flagship projects, recent developments, and future prospects.
https://preview.redd.it/m2blprfc4s1d1.png?width=977&format=png&auto=webp&s=e53fde92e9d1d7b7eb0b4fb321e2bffa7448e2ca
About Element79
Element79 (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0), a leading figure in the mining industry, has established itself as a pioneer in responsible mining practices. Its commitment to sustainable development and strategic acquisitions highlight Element79’s dedication to maximizing shareholder value. The company’s impressive portfolio features two flagship projects, the Lucero Property in Peru and the Maverick Springs Project in Nevada, both of which exhibit significant potential for high-grade operations.
Lucero Property: The Goldmine in Peru
Nestled in Arequipa, Peru, the Lucero Property is a high-grade gold and silver mine that stands as one of Element79’s flagship projects. With a rich history and immense potential for future development, Lucero is a testament to Element79’s commitment to mining excellence.
Historically, the Lucero mine boasted impressive grades, with an average of 19.0g/t Au Equivalent (Au Eq) during its five years of production ending in 2005. Recent assays from underground workings in March 2023 have further validated the potential for a significant high-grade future operation. These assays yielded up to 11.7 ounces per ton of gold and 247 ounces per ton of silver, indicating a promising future for high-grade operations.
https://preview.redd.it/u747re4f4s1d1.png?width=977&format=png&auto=webp&s=12363f4c254283d3c152de478b5392314ecf02a5
Additional Assay Results
Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0) unveils additional findings from its recent underground and surface sampling efforts at the Lucero property, the cornerstone of its endeavors.
James Tworek, CEO of Element79, underscores the significance of these results: “This data isn’t just promising; it’s pivotal. It forms the bedrock upon which we build our future at Lucero.”
Out of 97 samples analyzed, 56 returned notable gold grades, with peaks at 8.55 g/t gold and 523 g/t silver, as shown in Table 1. Additionally, high concentrations of base metals were detected, affirming the project’s richness and reinforcing the Company’s confidence in its resource potential.
These assay results serve dual purposes for Element79. Firstly, they lay the groundwork for resource development and future mine planning, marking essential milestones in the project’s evaluation process.
Secondly, this data will steer the Company’s 2024 drill program, informed by comprehensive 3D modeling of geology and historic mine workings. This approach aims for precision and efficiency, utilizing a wealth of data including historical records dating back to 2005, current geochemistry data, underground mapping, and geophysical surveys.
Tworek emphasizes the significance of this data in guiding future exploration efforts: “It delineates areas of economic strength and directs our focus for ore extraction, leveraging both past data and current findings.”
Maverick Springs Project: A Silver Lining in Nevada
Another gem in Element79’s portfolio is the Maverick Springs Project, located in the renowned gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA. With its proximity to the prolific Carlin Trend, Maverick Springs presents an exciting opportunity for Element79. The project is a silver-rich sediment/carbonate-hosted deposit, similar to the renowned silver-rich epithermal deposits found in Nevada.
​
https://preview.redd.it/8hl10ylh4s1d1.png?width=977&format=png&auto=webp&s=d7460ff309ebda1bff1616cebcf79058b04078bb
Elevating Community Relations
In its ongoing commitment to community engagement, Element79 (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0) orchestrated a strategic meeting with artisanal miners from Lomas Doradas. The goal? To cultivate collaborative ties, ensuring mutual support as the Company embarks on exploration efforts on surface land. Seeking exclusive agreements, Element79 aims for a unified approach to mineral extraction and sales, benefitting both parties.
In a bid to solidify this partnership, Element79 proposed draft contracts. These agreements outline a decade-long surface access arrangement for exploration at the Lucero mine site, reciprocated by granting local miners access to defined locations for their operations. Additionally, Element79 pledges to facilitate optimal market pricing for Lomas Doradas’ ore, ensuring a steady revenue stream for both sides.
In March, Element79’s swift response to a landslide in Chachas exemplified its dedication to community assistance. The team provided vital support, aiding in the transfer of stranded community members until roads were cleared.
Embracing local traditions, Element79’s (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0) community relations team joined in a traditional Water Ceremony alongside local authorities and leaders. This culturally rich event, steeped in Chachas tradition, underscores the Company’s commitment to meaningful engagement and integration.
Throughout the year, Element79’s engagement in social awareness remains steadfast. Site visits and consultations with annex leaders bolster community support for ongoing exploration efforts. The Company advocates for a progressive approach, aligning with sustainable development goals and community interests.
Conclusion
Element79’s (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0) commitment to responsible mining practices, coupled with its robust portfolio, positions it as a leader in the mining industry. The company’s dedication to sustainable development, strategic acquisitions, and community relations exemplify its commitment to maximizing shareholder value.
As Element79 continues its exploration and development efforts, it remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices. By leveraging its expertise and strategic acquisitions, Element79 is well-positioned to deliver value to its shareholders while contributing to the responsible development of the mining industry.

The twin suns of the alien planet were high in the sky outside your window. Birds with four wings chirped and flitted between shoulder high blades of purple grass. Outside your kitchen window a brook babbled quietly between enormous trees twice the size of the giant sequoias of Earth. In the distance you could hear a few of your fellow colonists chatting cheerily. The BUZZ of your communicator interrupted the moment. It read:

Congratulations! The Colonial Supercomputer has located a suitable mate for you. He will arrive in fourteen (14) standard days. His information is as follows:

Category	Specifications
Name	Dr. Paul Stevens
Age	29
Education	PhDs in Astronomy, Astrometrics, and Physics
Height	6'6
Weight	195
Flaccid Length	6.9''
Average Seminal Emission (Volume)	testing error
Average Seminal Emission (Frequency)	3.2 Per Standard Rotation

Paul enjoys nature, good food, a good book, and everything to do with the stars. Please prepare for your mate's arrival. Contact the Colonial Authority if you have any questions.

A picture of a ruggedly handsome man with wavy, dirty blond hair, green eyes, and just a bit of stubble followed the message. His eyes were warm and friendly, as was his soft smile.
Aboard the colonial transport starship, Ares, Paul and a few hundred other male colonists had woken from cryosleep just a few weeks ago. It had taken Paul a few days to adjust, but the anti-atrophy system that had been developed a few years ago was really working wonders. He felt stronger than ever. He was playing Spaceball with his friends in the gym when he got the notification.
"Here! Pass!" His friend Tom shouted. Paul threw him the ball. Tom dodged by one opponent, turned as he was blocked by another, and then through the ball back to Paul who was now in full sprint. Paul caught the ball in midair and immediately threw it at full speed toward the goal. The BUZZ of the goal sounded almost at the same time as Paul's communicator. Paul wiped sweat from his forehead as he high fived Tom and looked down at his communicator. His heart skipped three beats. He had been matched. His heart pounded more and more as he read your profile. His jaw visibly dropped when he got to your photo.
"Hey man! What's up?" Mark, another friend, walked up to Paul and clapped him on the back as he looked over Paul's shoulder. He immediate saw what was 'up' and he let out a dramatic. "Damn... son! Good for you!"
The rest of the guys ran up to peep over Paul's shoulder. Various comments filtered through. "She is fucking gorgeous," "Holy fucking shit dude," and "You lucky bastard," were some of them.
Finally the guys got back to the game, but Paul's mind never left the profile on his phone or the photo. His head was in the clouds and amongst the stars the rest of the day as he showered after the game, ate dinner, and worked half-heartedly on his usually consuming research.
Paul and the other three guys that he shared quarters with finally went to bed. He took one more glance at your profile as the lights went out and he tucked himself into his twin-sized bunk cut out from the wall. He drifted off peacefully to sleep to the gentle hum of the engines. He dreamed of the woman in his match message, his future mate. At around 2:00 a.m., the bulge between his legs swelled as he dreamed. The soft fabric of his pajama pants shifted and rose, and rose, and rose... Soon his bedsheets were a mountain in the darkness of the bed quarters. And Paul dreamed even more vividly of his mate. The bulging mountain tensed and shuddered visibly. And then again. And again even more powerfully. A moment later, wetness soaked his pajama bottoms and then the bedsheets over them. The wetness flowed and spread. More, and more and more, until it oozed to cover a large portion of the lower half of the bed. As it finished, the outline of a raging hard penis was clearly shown by the soaked bedsheet and pajamas that clung to it so tightly the thick veins would have been visible if there were a little more light in the dark room. Paul simply smiled in his sleep and rolled over. He would have to change, shower, and wash his sheets in the morning. He would also have to endure some playful teasing from his roommates. But Paul was the happiest man in the universe.
Two weeks later.
It was another beautiful day on the alien planet. It was the day Paul and the other male passengers of the Ares arrived. Paul waved goodbye to his friends as he followed the map on his datapad to your home. He passed an elk like creature with antlers almost the size of its body that was grazing between the huge trees. Paul's jaw almost never left the grown as his eyes passed from one alien wonder to the next. Finally he arrived outside your front door, his heart racing. He knocked twice. His deep voice followed. "Hello. It's Paul, Paul Stevens."
Hello! I thought it would be fun to set a smutty, romantic romp on an alien world.
I was also toying with the idea of our characters being somehow genetically enhanced to make them sexy as fuck, which explains Paul's absurd statistics early in the prompt. I am happy to discuss that though. Perhaps they are just hot from centuries of natural selection. Perhaps they were engineered from birth to be perfect space colonists, or perhaps they were given genetic treatment while in cryostasis on the journey, or we can totally ignore the issue and just have them be hot for hotness sake! I do like the idea of our characters being very attractive though. I also have to say I am a HUGE fan of big boobs and big booties.
I know I wrote your part in second person, and mine in third person. I am happy to write my character in either first or third person. I am also happy to write the parts of third party characters that flit in and out of our story, and I would be happy if you also share the burden!
Another idea that might be fun to explore is if additional "mates" are added to our "family" at some point. Not sure on this, happy to hear your thoughts if you are interested.
Some other kinks and interests that may work for the story: detailed writing, creative writing partners, fit characters, big tits, big butts, big cock, lots of cum, passionate fucking, outdoor sex, group sex (when it fits the story), voyeurism, exhibitionism, playful competition and comparison, and I am sure much more!
Limits: noncon, violence, poop, animals, underage, anything else gross or illegal.
Let me know your ideas, or feel free to just jump write in where I left off and answer the door!
I prefer to write by PM, by chat and discord also work. Hope to hear from you soon!

Keep in mind that I live in a country with a good universal health care system, but in my opinion the administrative part works poorly, and as I think this is taking too long, I have come here to ask for help. Also, they have changed my doctor in the middle of the process, which has slowed everything down. (English is my third language, I'm sorry for my mistakes, or if my expressions are not correct).
28F, 1,61m (5'3''), 57kg (125lbs), I take one pill a month of vitamin D, I don't smoke, I drink very very rarely and I don't do drugs.
I first went to the doctor in mid-January for digestive problems. I have always been prone to diarrhea, but the last few weeks it had been worse than usual. A week later I had blood drawn and gave a stool sample. The blood was fine, but I tested positive for Helicobacter Pylori.
10 days of Pylera medication (120 pills) and 2 gastric protectors per day. I had some discomfort but within normal side effects. I was told that I had to wait a month from the end of the treatment until I was tested again to see if we had killed the bacteria. Two weeks after finishing the treatment I started bleeding every time I went to the bathroom. It wasn't red blood, but it wasn't black either. A dark maroon maybe (?) and with small clots. I called the clinic and they told me that unless it got worse I should wait and that at the test they would do at the end of the one month period they would also do a stool blood test. I bled for a week and a half and by the time the test came back it stopped. Obviously I was negative for blood in stool. Also negative for Helicobacter. But less than a week later I bled intermittently again for a couple of weeks.
Since then I have not bled anymore, but my digestion is bad, different from when I first arrived, but bad. I have the feeling that the medication has spoiled me more than helped.
I have a lot of gas. I have never burped unless it was from drinking a lot of carbonated drinks, but now I am burping a lot every day. My stomach is making noises almost every day. I wake up in the middle of the night with a very sore stomach and when I go to the bathroom it's just to fart, I can sit for half an hour waiting for it to pass. I can't go for a run, a quarter of the times I would go to the gym I cancel because I don't feel well or I do an exercise and I feel dizzy. I don't do abdominal exercises because I feel like everything gets too shaken up. Going out with friends has also reduced. I haven't found an eating pattern that feels bad for me, but I have a very varied diet. It's like until I eat I don't know how I'm going to feel that day.
After many appointments with my family doctor I have finally been given an appointment with the specialist, but it is for a month and a bit from now. June 28th (the appointment request was made on May 1st). I started with this in January, I know I don't need to go to the ER, but I'm tired and I want to get back to normal life without worrying if my stomach will react well that day.
Any help would be appreciated.

How can we stop going around in circles with these corrupted nihilists? (basically an extreme religious-nut but in reverse; no meaning, no value, no good/bad, nothing matters) I've compiled some of my thoughts/comments.

But first If you are not caught up yet:
1 Re: Vegan Gains ...The Militant Vegan Raffaela Interview - (May 12, 2024)
2 Vegan Gains is a sub-Jerkivest [5/11/24]
3 Moral Realism Debate w/ Inmendham - (May 16, 2024)
4 WTF #899: The vegan gains debate ... Value realism - (May 19, 2024)
5 Vegan Gains ...Denialism is the only nihilism [5/19/24]
also saw this Controversial Topics with Vegan Gains (Horse Riding, Bivalves, Depression, and much more!) - (May 11, 2024) ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ (he thinks in terms of some dogmatic religious brain-rot morality source of right/wrong, but a kind of reversed/opposite conclusion of it's absence, nihilism)
the very reason religion was invented in the first place was because humans by nature had a value-engine driving them & NEED for meaning, that's the irony. value gave rise to religion, religion never needed to grant value. The fact people can't grasp this. 🤦 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Now onto the various arguments, sorry how long and out of order it is But the idea is to provoke you coming up with better ideas/arguments, and if you can critic and strenghen my and ultimately inmendham's arguments. The GOAL should be to Create a formal argument AKA a syllogism, modus ponens. Something clear and concise that can't be taken out of context or misinterpreted, as happened with the debate...

On the subject of Efilism, tread lightly, the philosophy and argument extends beyond merely focusing on suffering; it also includes the critical issue of consent violation. Its proponent and creator, Inmendham, argues for value realism, which contrasts starkly with the notion of subjective morality which I find illogical. While objective morality is full of baggage... often linked to outdated religious doctrine so on face value it's not fun or easy subject to broach... many contemporary non-religious ethicists ground it in realism. Personally me, inmendham and others see no use for the term "morality" as it's tainted. value-realism is the subject. Is it a value-laden universe or not?
it is not necessary to call TRUE/REAL right or wrong Objective, because if objective is defined as mind-independent than without minds there's nothing right/wrong to happen to, therefore THE discussion should be just regarding what is TRUE or NOT, subjective doesn't necessarily mean mere contrived opinion or preference but can be logical conclusion, e.g. you can conclude 2 + 2 = 4 as we understand these concepts of numbers to model reality but can you call it objective or mind-independent 2 + 2 = 4, or that math exists? Not really. As you require a modeler to model reality, an observer to make the observation, a mind to come to such accurate conclusions. To me, claiming there is no real right or wrong is akin to asserting that moral standards and ultimately the subject of Ethics is as fictitious as religion or Santa Claus, you just believe it cause you want to or have preference to. Why maintain this pretense if it's all a mere fabrication / contrivance?
Regarding subjective judgments such as determining "What's the tastiest potato chip or the most beautiful painting?", these are not factual assessments about the things themselves, The question itself is misleading, because the thing itself has none of those qualities objectively, Instead, such qualities are OUTPUTs generated by the interaction of our bodies and minds with these INPUT items, the input is quite arbitrary/irrelevant, unlike the highly meaningful & distinct output generated of positive or negative experiences. You might get off more on certain female body part than another, it doesn't matter, the output positives & negatives is more or less same among individuals and that's what's relevant... not what specific fun or hobby gets you or them off or pushes their buttons.
It can be TRUE that a certain food item is the tastiest to that personal individual, or gross to another, and we can talk about intersubjective truths with averages overall. But one's experience of what is tastiest for them doesn't contradict another's, they can both be true for them individually, as you are likely not even sharing the same exact experiences to judge differently. And one's very perception or framing of the experience changes the experience itself, no way around this truth. Some people find bricks tasty or edible, just how their brain is wired.
It's important to recognize that differing opinions of personal taste do not inherently conflict in the way ethical contradictions do. With ethical matters, asserting that two diametrically opposed views are equally valid is problematic, either one is right and the other wrong, or both might be based on flawed reasoning. Pretending 2 opposing ethical views can be both equally right/true/correct is utter contradictory mush, either one of them must be right / wrong, or both are contrived meaningless nothing opinions, just made up. you wouldn't say whether one believes in god or not IS mere personal opinion/preference and such 2 opposing views can be equally right at same time, that's utter contradictory nonsense, by saying 2 opinions that gRAPE is both good & bad at same time are equally right opinons, right loses all meaning and you might as well say neither is right and both are wrong, they each have their own contrived fairytale delusion.
Now with Ethics of right / wrong, it does not depend on one single individual's preference or opinion, but taken as the whole, if you violate one without consent you still have to account for that since you are seemingly putting the weight on the preference otherwise preferences are utterly meaningless and irrelevant.
ALSO, Do you call whatever you prefer what's right, or do you prefer to try to do what is right?
Do you prefer to seek out what is the right most accurate conclusion given all the facts of reality, or contrive right to be what's in your preference/interest or personal gain?
I don't think VG or most these talking heads understand value-realism (problematic events within subjectivity/a non-physical but REAL reality of the mind). Obviously there's no objective divine or otherwise prime-directive moral-rules we must follow. Unfortunately Religion has poisened the conversation so much with archaic ideas and mushy terms like 'Morality'. Understand there is no 'moral truth', let alone an objective one, ofc if you pigeon-hole me or all realists into defending such nonsense it's easy to refute them. What I'm interested in is subject of Ethics, and to start whether or not value/problematic events exist or do not exist.
Here's a silly question by nihilists: "why is suffering bad?"
Response: How do you identify suffering? Based on the fact that it feels bad. (Yes subjectively) Just as we can subjectively understand 2+2 = 4
Or this: "prove suffering bad, objectively"
Also question-begging, obviously it is subjective. If such badness cannot exist mind-independently by definition.
"Prove suffering is bad, objectively"
is begging the question, because...
It strawmans / assumes the badness must be bad mind-independently, it isn't therefore, it isn't bad.
Answer this, evolutionarily do animals PERCEIVE being tortured skinned alive nail in the eye as BAD, or does it impose torture which we RECOGNIZE and define as Bad by definition?
If true PAIN/torture isn't bad then why does it exist evolutionarily? Answer: (problem -> solution) mechanism which functions as ability to learn & improved survival, this mechanism was reinforced over time as it worked.
inmendham & realists like myself argue: it is the case Descriptively, Objectively evolution IMPOSED Prescriptive-value-judgements onto animals which function as a learning/problem solving mechanism. Fact is, the invention of 'PROBLEM' is something I/we/animals had nothing to do with... (no-free-will-choice) but are simply byproduct in observation of this fact.
If real PROBLEM(s) didn't truly exist then Arguably the word and conceptual understanding it points 👉 to wouldn't exist either. As if beings could be truly blind never seeing colors/vision yet pulling the idea out of thin air and conceiving of such a thing, how preposterous, that'd be giving human creativity/imagination way too much credit. The only nihilist argument then is that by evolution we & all feeling organisms are somehow ultimately deluded or have illusion of problem where there is none, which I find deeply implausible. Run the torture study/experiment a million times putting people's arm in the fire "yep still bad". Filtering out people who lack ability to feel pain of course.
As evolutionary biologists even states pain is a message to the animal "don't do that again". Can't get descriptively prescriptive more than that.
Are You Getting It?
The Ought is literally baked in as an IS. The is-ought gap to be bridged is a complete Red-Herring, yes you can't derive an Ought from an IS, because if you oughtn't do something, then it can never be BAD... problematic/BAD/torture can't mean anything if it doesn't scream OUGHT-not.
All you have to agree to is due to evolution it created torture which is decidedly negative/ inherently BAD, by definition. Otherwise it wouldn't feel bad or be torturous at all... THEN ask yourself, how can something be BAD yet it's not BAD to create that BAD?
This is Checkmate. These are irrefutable Facts & Logical deductions.
So much for it all being false-perception, the very fact placebo patients perceive an otherwise harmless laser as BAD/painful makes it so. It's the TRUE reality in their mind and you can't deny that fact. It's also a fact believing a pain isn't really all that bad can make it so, but this doesn't make these value-laden experiences NOT real/true.
As per evolution, your body/brain's mechanisms must generate & impose a prescriptive-value-judgement / problematic event within your mind,
It's nagging, complaining, telling you keeping your hand on the hot stove is a mistake/problematic/bad. (not in itself but as a consequence)
I believe this brain making me write all this... is making an accurate assessment when it observe certain events to be problematic/bad where it's happening which is within subjectivity, where's your evidence my perceptions are fooling me or I'm somehow deluded? I witnessed the crime take place and you were nowhere near the crime scene yet you have the authority to claim otherwise as fact? (You are not simply agnostic to my problem suffering but a De-nihilist)
Once one accepts this evolutionary fact we can move on to more complicated questions regarding ethics, like how do weigh the good & the bad, conflicting preferences, etc. Otherwise, it's all pointless & futile, like arguing bivalves or wild-suffering with a non-vegan. They're just not on that level yet and it's a waste of time.
revised version of my other comment: I believe that many discussions around morality miss a crucial point about value-realism, which acknowledges problematic events within subjectivity, a non-physical but real reality of the mind. It is evident that there are no objective, divine, or prime-directive moral rules we must follow. Unfortunately, religion has muddied the conversation with archaic ideas and terms like 'morality'.
There is no 'moral truth,' especially not an objective one. If critics pigeonhole realists into defending such notions, it becomes easy to refute them. My interest lies in ethics and whether value/problematic events exist.
Consider this question by nihilists: "Why is suffering bad?"
Response: Suffering is identified because it feels bad, subjectively. Just as we subjectively understand 2+2=4, we can recognize suffering through its unpleasant experience.
When asked to "prove suffering is bad, objectively," this is question-begging, as the question assumes that the badness must exist independently of minds, which it does not by definition. This question straw-mans the issue by requiring mind-independent badness, ignoring the subjective nature of suffering. As if the quality of it being BAD must be granted by something outside the experience itself.
Evolutionary Perspective: Animals perceive and react to torture (e.g., being skinned alive) as bad because evolution has imposed mechanisms that signal harm. Pain serves as a problem-solving mechanism, reinforcing behaviors that enhance survival. If pain and suffering weren't inherently problematic, they wouldn’t exist in the form they do.
Realists like myself argue that evolution has objectively imposed prescriptive-value judgments on animals. The concept of 'problem' or 'bad' arises from these evolutionary mechanisms, not from free will. The existence of these concepts indicates the reality of these problematic experiences.
If real problems didn’t exist, neither would the concepts describing them. This is akin to how beings blind from birth wouldn’t conceive of color. Suggesting that evolutionary processes have universally deluded all feeling organisms into perceiving problems where there are none is implausible.
As evolutionary biologists state, pain signals to the animal, "don't do that again," which is descriptively prescriptive. The 'ought' is embedded within the 'is.' Thus, the is-ought gap is a red herring because prescriptive judgments are evolutionarily ingrained.
Again, How do you identify suffering? Based on the fact that it feels bad. (Yes subjectively) Just as we can subjectively understand 2+2 = 4
All you have to agree to is due to evolution it created torture which is decidedly negative/ inherently BAD, by definition. Otherwise it wouldn't feel bad or be torturous at all... THEN ask yourself, how can something be BAD yet it's not BAD to create that BAD?
Conclusion: By acknowledging that evolution created inherently negative experiences like torture, we accept that these experiences are bad by definition. Denying the badness of creating bad experiences is contradictory. Therefore, once recognizing the true reality of subjective experiences, only then we can move on to complex ethical questions about weighing good and bad and addressing conflicting preferences.
playing devil's advocate let's try Steelman their position and then arrive at the logical conclusions of it and then perhaps refute it. If they say: "veganism = right" realize there is no contradiction IF by 'right' they just mean it's literally nothing but their preference...
There's no goal to prefer to know/do what's right, RATHER what's right is whatever matches our personal preferences, so unlike flat earther vs round earth beliefs/CLAIMs which can contradict/conflict with each other since either 1 is right or both are wrong. Individual tastes don't.
Whereas if VG says 9 people gRAPE the 1 kid for fun is WRONG because he's a threshold-deontologist but Also RIGHT to a hedonistic utilitarian, Those views only contradict/conflict if they are making VALUE-claims or recognizing a problematic event take place. However, with VG apparently he would have to say he's not claiming or labelling anything as TRULY problematic at all but merely describing his preferences like flavor of ice cream...
Now, of course, as the realist, I find such a view more deplorable/worse than if they were merely agnostic on right/wrong. Cause it's one thing to say there's a right answer to questions of Ethics but we have no objective scientific basis to determine it yet or lack knowledge VS saying they have knowledge there is absolutely no right or wrong.
Under Anti-realism nihilism, what they mean by wrong/right, is just their preference, if I understand correctly (which I'm quite sure) Anti-realism nihilism reduces the Subject of Ethics down to nothing but you or someone else pontificating/opining (i.e "me no like torture") . It defends some sort of expressivism, emotivism, normative, prescriptive reduction of Ethics. Which I find lubricious and has to be a mistake,
I don't see anyone playing any different game even the nihilists invest their money and plan ahead for self-interest, no one truly signs up for torture for fun like it's no problem, and runs away from pleasure happiness as bad. Further, it stands to reason... since we can recognize objectively evolution created a punishment mechanism to enforce learning and survival, BAD/PROBLEM as a concept is something I/WE/Animals had nothing to do with. We didn't invent it, we recognize it and respond accordingly. Even evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins stated that pain is a message to the organism 'don't do that again!'
We must address further the flawed logic of VG and other nihilists reducing Ethics down to mere arbitrary preferences like potato chip flavor, or how much salt you prefer in the soup. As it is completely disanalogous & dishonest upon reflection. QUOTE: "There's no arguing against Efilism, it's just personal opinion. Like arguing what tastes better... ice-cream or potato chips?"
Say if you believe that the mona-lisa is beautiful, and I personally find it ugly, this conflicts/contradicts nothing because it claims nothing in terms about that object or reality outside of our own minds.
such qualities are OUTPUTs generated by body/mind from these INPUTs, the input is quite arbitrary/irrelevant, unlike the highly meaningful & distinct output generated of positive or negative experiences.
it doesn't matter what specific fun or hobby gets them off or pushes their buttons in order for it MATTER, those differences don't make it any less real OR all mere subjective opinion. the output positives & negatives is more or less same among individuals and that's what's relevant...
It can be TRUE that a certain food item is the tastiest to some personal individual, or gross to another, one's experience of what is tastiest for them doesn't contradict another's, they can both be true for them individually because it is the reality in their mind, Some people find bricks tasty or edible, just how their brain is wired.
while one person may find a certain food delicious, another may find it repulsive, without invalidating each other's experiences because they are true for them individually. both experiences are valid/correct.
However, actions that disregard another's negative experience invalidate their reality. if you find being boiled alive problematic and I do it anyway believing it's ok, I am invalidating your experience as either not real, relevant, doesn't matter, or my preferences are more important (carry more weight) than yours. Or simply believe it's ALL equal or arbitrary and I just prefer to exploit you so I do that.
Positive or negative experiences are largely consistent among people, making them relevant, regardless of the specific stimuli. Individual truths about taste or preference coexist without contradiction, reflecting each person's value-generated reality.
This cannot honestly be applied to one's mere opinion it's fine to boil kids alive, as you are invalidating the fact that it matters to those victims. You saying it doesn't matter or your gain of pleasure outweighs their loss of pain, is a claim about the reality of events going on in their mind, so there is room for conflict/contradiction. They can't both be right/wrong at the exact same time.
A strong non-intuition argument/claim & facts presented render value-nihilism implausible:
It is Descriptively the case, that Evolution IMPOSED Prescriptive-ought statements... of 'PROBLEMATIC sensation/event' on organisms which functioned as a learning mechanism and improved survival.
Therefore, BAD/PROBLEM isn't mere subjective opinion but something I/we/animals had nothing to do with and are mere by-product reacting to an observation.
This is pretty much the only base-axiom needed to ground my own torture as mattering as the original actual value-currency at stake. That paired with the fact I sampled consciousness and know it matters to me whether or not I am tortured, the fact that I personally observe it as problematic makes it the true reality for my own mind...
...AND it's not mere opinion/proclamation / or idea humans creatively invented out of thin air... as if like everyone could be truly blind yet conceptualizing colovision, makes no sense. plus that's giving humanity way too much credit of imagination.
Can't really have thoughts about information that you don't have. The concept of bad/problem arguably wouldn't even exist if it never was so.
Yes, I agree very semantics. I am attempting to shed clarity on this topic. Looking at the word "BAD" purely in a descriptive sense (e.g., that which can be categorically applied to extreme suffering) it loses all meaning if it's not truly consequential (i.e., it matters whether one experiences bad or not). If it doesn't actually matter ("no problemo") then it can't be bad, only an illusion/delusion of it, yet it's an effective one evolution imposed on organisms as a learning/problem-solving mechanism. The value-realists like myself have every reason to believe evolution created the real thing, not some contrived pseudo-problem organisms feel compelled/obligated to solve.
One only requires the axiom of a Descriptive Bad to ground Ethics. Why? Because it can be argued that a descriptive statement of BAD/problem is prescriptive by it's very nature in the meaning the of word/language.(otherwise its psuedo-bad/fake langauge, redefines bad as aversion/mere preference against) Otherwise, it can't mean anything to be bad, torturously obnoxious, unwanted experiential events couldn't mean anything. Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins even state pain is a punishment signal/message to the animal: "Don't do that again!" If those aren't prescriptions imposed, then I don't know what is. The animal doesn't simply decide/prefer to avoid the event and finds it bad, it's told/finds it bad and so prefers to avoid the event/problem. If god or there were some logically or physically possible way it were to be invented how else would it exist?, or what you think evolution's reward & punishment mechanism accomplished? If it didn't synthesize problematic sensations to force organisms to solve?
Evolution prescribes Needs/wants, at the same time imposes a PAIN/PROBLEM of starvation/hunger which by it's very nature is a prescription for solution (i.e. sustenance/relief/comfort.)
By the very nature of "PROBLEM" it prescribes -> "SOLUTION" not merely a contrived or trivial-like on paper math problem, but the origin of why the word even exists: the problem of pain, a true whip/punishment mechanism, real currency to play with, real loss. Idk how you can describe something categorically as a PROBLEM in the true sense of the word if it doesn't come with it a necessary prescription for its solution. Because if there is no NEED for a solution, then it turns into no longer a problem again...
I don't see how it could be any other way because if there's no real game to be playing with value baked into it, then money would be worthless/not even exist, animals wouldn't bother evade standing in the fire, etc.
Saying It is Descriptively the case, that Evolution IMPOSED Prescriptive-ought statements... of 'PROBLEMATIC sensation/event' on organisms which functioned as a learning mechanism and improved survival.
Is the same as saying Evolution IMPOSED torture/BAD, as that's what torture/bad is... a prescribed need for solution to a problem which is some form of relief/comfort.
The prescription arises as a result of accepting step 1. (which nihilists reject/deny) problem solution. The latter does not follow/exist without the former. basic 2+2 = 4 logic. There's no point figuring out the answer to the math equation, if we don't agree first and foremost a problem exists. Nor how to solve a disease, if we don't first and foremost recognize a disease exists. And so, Any debate with nihilists on step 2: of determining what is the most likely solution / right answer becomes irrelevent and a waste of time. Arguing about whether x or y IS the right answer to fixing/preventing diabetes is pointless when they don't even agree the really disease exists. They don't believe an actual real BAD / Problem exists.
VG reduces it down to mere preferences, his reasonings that even if universally sentience prefers not suffebe tortured... Well, just because it is the case descriptively we prefer to avoid suffering doesn't mean we ought/should prevent suffering. He hasn't bridged the IS-OUGHT gap. But he got it backwards,
the claim/argument... ISN'T that because descriptively, sentience universally has a preference to avoid suffering, it is therefore bad,
the claim/argument... IS that it's descriptively bad/problematic, therefore universally there's a deductively logically assigned preference to avoid it,
Again you can't classify/label something as a problem if it's inconsequential whether it is solved or not. The word loses all meaning. If something NEEDs solving/fixing it means there's a problem, if there's a problem it means there's something NEED solving/fixing. Evolution manufactures these needy problems in organisms to manipulate and control them.
Merely what our preferences are IS NOT relevant, preference "frustration" arguably IS. (if preferences couldn't be frustrated "i.e., no value" than it wouldn't matter which way things turned out)
You can have a preference for some art style over another, if we were just programmed non-feeling robots that preferred to avoid standing in the fire, but there was no real kernel of value/bad, then it wouldn't matter.
Let's imagine something was Objectively PROBLEMATIC, an IS statement. What would a real problem look like? something in NEED of a solution. Again, why? because If it doesn't matter whether or not it exists or is Solved or not, it could never be a problem in the first place. So either this problem exists or it doesn't. (NOTE: it doesn't need to be an objective problem to be REAL, "i.e mind-independent")
Next, if ASI or sentient beings were to sample this "problem", would it not be the case they would logically deduce it's in need of a solution? And assign their preferences accordingly to solving it? Cause again otherwise then you just see it as "no-problemo" again.
"If Inmendham's argument is that sentient beings create value, and that the universe has no value without the presence of a sentient being generating it, would it not follow that the ought is inherently built into sensation?" yes but the way VG unfairly reframes it is that we subjectively place value on it, THAT it's entirely subjective, like you prefer salty or sweet, or certain ice cream flavor. emphasizing that it's entirely subjective opinion. Take a look at his unfair silly example: "we can't say pineapple on pizza is objectively tasty or not..." this shows a complete ineptitude in grasping the subject and misrepresenting the argument like crazy, no one is arguing whether Mona Lisa is objectively beautiful or some such thing.
What is being argued: the positive or negative mind-dependent event produced in response to the sensual or perceptual stimuli, the input (object) is irrelevant, only the output (experience) matters and what the value-engine (BRAIN) produced. What pushes your buttons so to speak, blue jelly beans or green jelly beans, could differ between 2 individuals but the shared experience is the same more or less. Whether you wired to find pineapple on pizza tasty or gross is irrelevant, some people find bricks edible.
Main issue is they talking past each other: what inmendham is arguing for was either not expressed as best it could be, and/or VG does not quite comprehend what is being argued... inmendham claims/argues evolution created the real bad/PROBLEM and we respond in recognition of this fact/truth with preferences that follow accordingly, Logic cannot be escaped, once you know 2+2 = 4, you can't will or believe it to be 79. If you know the right answer "torture be Bad M'kay?" obviously you won't act or behave otherwise and say you love it. What could it mean to have a preference against experiencing torture... does such a statement even make any sense? All that is required is a real BAD to exist... and then the preference to avoid it logically follows, an inescapable truth. Unless he thinks I also choose or prefer to believe 2+2 = 4 ?
Essentially VG keeps counter-arguing that: "yes we want to avoid torture, but that's just your preference... just cause universally sentience has a preference against torture (a Descriptive / IS statement) doesn't logically follow some Normative/Prescriptive claim/statement. That just because something IS the case it doesn't follow that we OUGHT / should do X, like help others, prevent suffering, etc. That's a non-sequitur he says. Ultimately it's just a preference." sure but...
His argument only applies/counters a strawman position in his head: Because of this I and other realists can account for / side-step it completely, we aren't attempting to derive an OUGHT from an IS. e.g strawman: "we ALL have preference against torture, Therefore it's BAD." Or "we ALL have preference against torture, Therefore we OUGHT prevent it"
The actual argument is that it's Truly Bad/Problematic by the very nature of the word, Therefore first-hand observation follows universally a deductively logically assigned preference to avoid it. Not the other way around.
"If the only thing that can have meaning in the universe is the experience of a sentient being, ought we not maximize its value just by nature of its experience being the only thing that can matter?" yes the ought is a further logical extension of recognizing it to be a problem, which denotes/demands a solution, otherwise if it doesn't matter to solve it or not then you've turned it into a non-problem again. So it can only be categorically one or the other.
Issue of semantics, different terminology and definitions: as long as VG defines objective as "mind-independent" and sets the goal-post to the realist to find a mind-independent "wrong/bad" as if somehow we need some divine-command or absolute rule in the universe that declares it so... then there is no fruit to the discussion. suffering/bad takes place in the mind/experience, so of course it's unfair to ask one to present a mind-independent suffering/bad in the universe, it is begging the question. To be fair inmendham uses the term objective and could have done better job with defining/pushing his terms "e.g. objective as truth/real/fact" and not let VG impose in his own. However, I don't ascribe a requirement to demonstrate an Objective BAD to ground a BAD as real, valid, and true; it can be entirely based on Subjectivist grounds/axiomatic foundations.
Just because the BAD takes place within subjectivity doesn't make it any less real (non-physical/immaterial sure... but not unreal). VG and nihilists can't understand this. 2+2 = 4 is subjective as is all science ultimately as a root axiomatic-fact... as an observation requires an observer. This doesn't mean realism can't be proven/grounded, it can just like we can know 2+2=4 and the moon exists. If anti-realism is gonna deny subjective truths because it's subjective, then one can't know much of anything and reduces to solipsism. I am more certain I exist and the reality of "perceived" BAD I experience is actually a real BAD... THAN that the moon even exists or any other scientific empirical claim.
PROBLEM is something I/we/animals had Nothing to do with, we didn't invent it.
If Anti-realism nihilism was True and Real "PROBLEMS" didn't exist the word wouldn't exist. It is like being born never knowing or seeing or experiencing vision & color, it's impossible to contrive or imagine it. Some knowledge & information is only accessible through experience.
Even Richard Dawkins stated, "pain is a message to the animal Don't do that again!"
If the ought exists within subjectivity, as preferences, why would them being Subjective vs Objective determine whether or not their violation matters? If one experiences disgust looking at something AND another finds beauty... both are true realities for them, they don't conflict or contradict like empirical or fact claims, but instead both are correct and relevant, not one or the other, BECAUSE when someone says the mona Lisa is beautiful they are just saying it arises in them a sense of beauty, the thing/input is irrelevant whereas the output in mind is what is relevant and true for their reality.
Subjective =/= not true, I don't understand the dichotomy between objective vs subjective ethics, as if there isn't facts to glean about subjectivity.
There's also definition or semantic problems:
objective (mind-independent) vs subjective (mind-dependent)
Under such definition does it make sense to say Objectively evolution created feeling experiencing organisms having sense of taste, smell, sound, hunger, pain, to survive. So can we apply word objective to mind-dependent experiences or not?
And of course under such definition there is no objective mind-independent ethics as without minds there is no feeling subject of concern to even talk about in first place. So how silly...
Yet they take objective to mean True & Subjective made up or mere contrived opinion.
For me these are semantic word games that distract, I just care about what's fact/true. What many don't get is Even science, math is subjective invention, byproduct of subjective tool of language, doesn't mean we can't create an accurate model and picture of reality.
I believe the Is-Ought gap is a red-herring, sure it's true you can't contrive an Ought from just what IS, but with evolution the OUGHT statement is built-in, it's descriptively a prescriptive value statement imposed on me, I/we/animals literally have nothing to do with it, I'm just by-product an observer. This is key understanding.
There exists no objective or divine commandment "you OUGHT do X" written into the fabric of reality, and therefore if you don't that's Bad, No. That's nonsense/impossible logically.
Rather an Descriptive IS statement of X is a real bad/PROBLEM, denotes/demands a solution by it's very nature of the word, otherwise if it doesn't need solving then it becomes into a non-problem again, so either x categorically IS a PROBLEM or it's not.
The claim/argument... Is that it's Descriptively BAD/Problematic, therefore universally there's a deductively logically assigned preference to avoid it. Not the other way around. Our personal preference against torture forever doesn't make it therefore bad. The prescription is built in, forced onto us.
It's like "STOP!" & "GO" What do you say to a dog? "BAD dog!" This is saying it should or shouldn't do something. basically = "No!" "Stop!" That's a prescriptive statement/signal/conveyed message.
Or simply, alls required is Descriptively diagnose Torture as Problematic. Which implies Problem Solution Without necessity of solution there is no problem at all, likewise without problem solution means nothing.
​So you essentially boiled my position down to: "Evolution programmed preference to avoid torture." or "we evolved preference to avoid torture" Does that sound incoherent or what... as if I would make such a silly claim. Keep straw-manning.
Do you think animals have PREFERENCE by default to avoid being tortured burned alive and have sex, or logically preferences are born out of observing problematic negative / positive assigned accordingly through punishment & reward mechanisms aka prescriptions, think long and hard about this one...
This is why value or ethical nihilism is incoherent to me. IF torture be bad, how can it be NOT-bad/neutral to create BAD?
It either is truly BAD or it isn't. It's either real or it's an illusion/delusion and false perception.
Their position must reduce to there is no MEANINGFUL difference between Torture & Bliss. And evolution didn't create any problematic sensation or true punishment whatsoever. Instead, were somehow deluded to view being boiling alive as problematic sensation/BAD, and relief as good, we can't tell the difference or label which is which...
Vegan Gains or any anti-realist needs to substantiate these anti-realist nihilist claims & concede if he agrees with the statements below:
"The value-laden problematic BAD experience of being tortured boiled alive in a vat of acid indefinitely... isn't really bad, evolution didn't successfully impose a real negative punishment mechanism on animals, torture isn't something I/we/animals had nothing to do with and are just byproduct observing the imposition, NO! Instead our opinion has everything to do with it... what's problematic torture, one is merely subjectively interpreting/inventing/proclaiming it to be so! Evolution failed!"
"Animals run from fire cause they irrationally unreasonably subjectively interpret it to be bad/problematic sensation or experience, not cause DNA molecule made it so objectively for evolutionary reasons"
"It is all subjective preference like flavor of potato chips, problematic torturous experience isn't bad you just think it's bad or have preference against it."
"You don't logically recognize intrinsic problematic torturous experience then logically assign solution to problem which is preference to avoid that experience, No, you merely have subjective delusional preference against a nail in your eye and there is no logic to it"
"Good is Bad, and Bad is Good depending on opinion, no right or wrong, all subjective tho"
value anti-realism nihilism. INSANE! WORSE than a flat-earth theory!

Trigger warning- miscarriage
Long story short- my journey to a fertility clinic is due to my husband. He chose to get on Testosterone replacement therapy shortly after we started trying and miscarried. We also moved to a new state, Alabama, a month or so after we started trying. It’s officially been 2 years since our miscarriage. Last October we found out his sperm was extremely low count- he then got on all these supplements and his sperm count in January for up to a “normal count” but 24 ML compared to 135ml that he had before TRT is still upsetting to me. Anyway we live in an extremely small town and our only option is Newlife Fertility, they have a satellite office in our town of Dothan Alabama but their main office is in Pensacola. Met with the doctor after months of testing in February and he thinks we will be pregnant in 6 months and doesn’t even think we need to do IUI. I chose for us to do IUI. During the two IUI’s I noticed they have a schedule I need to go off of, not my own personal cycle. For example if a cycle for them starts on May 20th and my period starts May 16th I have to get on birth control from May 16th-20th to control my cycle to fit their needs since they are such a small office. They have also done IUI 12 hours after trigger and 60 hours after trigger shot. They also do not take progesterone sample day 21 or do any ultrasound AFTER IUI. After doing all my research and talking with friends in bigger cities I felt like something was off. I also recently found a new OB that I love and got a second opinion from her. She absolutely got upset and was like what are they doing here it sounds all wrong. They shouldn’t be putting me on BC and IUI should be done the day after trigger. I already paid for my third IUI and my OB wants me to come in on day 21 which is also tricky we don’t even really know when my day 21 is! Since I started my period but then had to get on Bc for 5 days? Anyway she said she can do two IUI’s with me after this round with Newlife but that’s it and then I need to move onto IVF.
My husband has a stressful job and refuses to get off TRT but is working with a urologist to adjust medication to up his count.
Has anyone had success with Newlife Fertility clinic if we have to go to the IvF route or success with a stubborn husband who needs to be on TRT? Any advice appreciated.

Warm-Up Routines for Badminton Players
Effective warm-up routines are essential for badminton players to prevent injuries, enhance performance, and ensure that their bodies are prepared for the intense physical demands of the game. Here, we outline a comprehensive warm-up routine that includes general exercises for badminton players and sport-specific movements to get you ready for the court.
Why Warm-Up is Important
Warming up increases blood flow to muscles, improves flexibility, and primes the nervous system for the physical activity ahead. For badminton players, a well-structured warm-up helps in improving reaction times, agility, and overall performance on the court. Additionally, it reduces the risk of injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle tears, which are common in high-intensity sports like badminton.
Components of a Good Warm-Up Routine
A thorough warm-up routine for badminton players should consist of the following components:

1. General Aerobic Exercise
2. Dynamic Stretching
3. Sport-Specific Drills
4. Mental Preparation

Let's break down each component in detail.
1. General Aerobic Exercise
Start with light aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate and blood flow to your muscles. This phase should last about 5-10 minutes and can include activities such as:
- Jogging: A light jog around the court or in place helps to gradually raise your heart rate. - Skipping Rope: This is particularly beneficial for badminton players as it mimics the quick, explosive movements required in the game. - Cycling: If you have access to a stationary bike, 5 minutes of moderate cycling can effectively warm up your lower body muscles.
2. Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching involves moving parts of your body and gradually increasing reach, speed of movement, or both. It prepares the muscles and joints for the specific movements of badminton. Here are some dynamic stretches tailored for badminton players:
- Leg Swings: Stand on one leg and swing the other leg forward and backward, then side to side. This helps to loosen the hip flexors, hamstrings, and adductors. - Arm Circles: Extend your arms to the sides and make small circles, gradually increasing to larger circles. This warms up the shoulder joints, which are crucial for overhead shots. - Torso Twists: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and twist your torso from side to side, keeping your hips stable. This exercise warms up the core muscles and the lower back.
3. Sport-Specific Drills
After general aerobic exercises and dynamic stretching, move on to sport-specific drills. These drills should mimic the movements you'll be performing during the game, allowing your body to become accustomed to the intensity and types of movements required.
- Shadow Badminton: Without a shuttlecock, perform all the different shots like smashes, clears, drives, and drops as if you were playing a real game. This helps to warm up your muscles and joints while also focusing on footwork and technique. - Footwork Drills: Practice your footwork patterns such as the front-back movement, side-to-side shuffles, and the split-step. Good footwork is essential for reaching the shuttlecock efficiently. - Reaction Drills: Have a partner point in different directions, and you must react quickly and move accordingly. This enhances your reaction time and agility.
4. Mental Preparation
While physical preparation is critical, mental readiness is equally important. Take a few minutes to mentally prepare yourself for the game:
- Visualization: Visualize yourself executing perfect shots and winning points. Positive visualization can enhance performance and build confidence. - Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves and focus your mind. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Putting It All Together
Here’s a sample warm-up routine for badminton players:
1. General Aerobic Exercise (5-10 minutes) - 3 minutes of jogging or skipping rope - 2 minutes of cycling or brisk walking
2. Dynamic Stretching (5-10 minutes) - 1 minute of leg swings (30 seconds each leg) - 1 minute of arm circles (30 seconds forward, 30 seconds backward) - 1 minute of torso twists - 1 minute of lunges with a twist (30 seconds each side) - 1 minute of high knees or butt kicks
3. Sport-Specific Drills (10-15 minutes) - 5 minutes of shadow badminton - 5 minutes of footwork drills - 5 minutes of reaction drills
4. Mental Preparation (3-5 minutes) - 2 minutes of visualization - 1-2 minutes of deep breathing
Conclusion An effective warm-up routine is an essential part of the training regimen for badminton players. Incorporating a combination of general aerobic exercises, dynamic stretching, sport-specific drills, and mental preparation ensures that players are physically and mentally ready for the game. By following these exercises for badminton players, you can improve your performance, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance your overall enjoyment of the sport.

Man, this is complicated. It's also very, very long.
A little piece out of a lot of background: I've been sick for about 10 years old. For the first six of those years, it was mainly a physical illness. I had chronic pains that the doctors just couldn't figure out and it derailed my entire life. Then in 2020, I ended up in a rehab facility for about 18 months. The first year there was really slow since I was still in pain, but after about 10 months I finally got the meds I needed and my aches went poof.
Amazing!
However, once they did, I discovered that I had a lot of latent psychological trauma etc. that popped its head up as soon as I didn't have the physical pains to distract me. I asked the nurses and doctors there for help with getting in touch with someone who could help me with that, but that didn't happen and instead the remaining 8 months was hell because somehow they decided that instead of offering help, they'd gaslight and abuse me. I've never felt so disconnected from reality because it didn't matter what I did or how hard I worked to accomplish a goal, I always did something wrong and never worked hard enough. It was a wild time, in the worst way possible.
Then I was kicked out of that facility and into my own one-room apartment. I was hesitant about the benefits of living alone right in ground zero for my previous trauma, but then again, staying at the place I had just been at wasn't really an option either.
Well, as it turns out, it was as horrible of an idea as I had feared. I quickly spiraled mentally since I was just alone with myself all day every day, and my own head is a pretty toxic conversational partner.
However, one upside to moving out of that facility is that it opened up another avenue of care for me. I'm not sure how to translate the Swedish health care system into English but basically, if you don't need to go to the hospital for something more urgent, your first go-to health care place is a vårdcentral. I'll just call it a "VC" from now on. You go there for all of the usual smaller things that doesn't require a surgeon or something. There are doctors and nurses there and they'll help you if they can or refer you to a hospital or other health care facilities if they offer the help you need.
When I came home from the rehab place in August of 2021, I got into contact with my local VC and explained that I needed some psychological help, and they let me talk to a counselor. She eventually sent me to another counselor of sorts who was supposed to evaluate me and then send me to the actual psychiatrist who could help me. After talking with her for a while, she sent me on my way and I met the psychiatrist in December of 2022.
We met up and had one conversation, but he basically said that there was nothing he could do for me. There were some reasons why but I don't think those matter now. The point is, my psych help kind of ended there. For various reasons, it wasn't picked up until six months later when I went on a boycott of all of my medicines in order to force my VC to actually do something. They had stayed radio silent up until then despite my pleas to find me some kind of help.
I ended up meeting with another one of their counselors in May last year and we've been talking ever since then. However, I wasn't getting anywhere. I said to her that the only way I saw myself getting better was by going to another of those rehab facilities since I wasn't able to get better on my own. On a fundamental level, I just don't function while alone. I shut down completely and just go on auto-pilot. It doesn't matter what we come up with while talking because as soon as I'm alone again, the auto-pilot engages and I remember almost nothing that isn't a hardwired biological need until I start interacting with another person again and the auto-pilot disengages again.
I had a three-way phone call with my counselor and the woman in charge of granting stays as such rehab facilities, and I said that one thing that I needed as a necessary guarantee was some sort of additional psychological help so that I wasn't simply helped physically and then thrown back once those needs were met. I've been there and done that, and I've seen how destructive that can be.
On the first session with my counselor after that call, she said that she could refer me to another counselor since I had pretty much said that only her support wouldn't be enough during my stay at that rehab facility (if I get a spot). I wasn't sure if that was the best way to go but since we hadn't really gotten anywhere in the last year, it didn't seem like the worst idea.
And this finally brings me to what this post is really about.
I had an initial conversation with this new counselor and then sent her a letter where I outlined my feelings better than I managed in the conversation. She asked if she could show the letter to her boss but didn't say why. I said sure, and after that we settled on a new session that was last Thursday.
During that session, she explained both why she'd taken my letter to her boss and why she'd be stepping down as my counselor after just a couple of sessions.
The reason she took the letter to her boss is because I outlined how I'd been ping-ponged around different counselors and psychiatrists for almost 3 years. That just wasn't right.
The reason she stepped down as my counselor was because of what the psychiatrist I'd met briefly in December 2022 had said about me. I was only aware of what he said directly to me: "I can't help you." However, what I was completely unaware of was that he told my VC a whole different thing: "This guy needs a whole team of (more suitable) psychiatrists."
They seemingly completely ignored this. As I mentioned before, for the first 6 months after my meeting with that psychiatrist, they did nothing. I had to resort to fairly desperate measures to get them to act, but when they did act, they just handed me to one of the counselors who were woefully underqualified to help me through my issues. This is why nothing happened during the year I was speaking to her. She then passed me on to the most recent counselor, and she realized that my issues were far above her paygrade. This wasn't the reason she stepped down, though. Rather, she felt that as long as I had a counselor, everyone around me would just assume that I was getting qualified help when the reality was far from that. As such, she thought that her staying on would do more harm than good to me.
She advised me to talk to my doctor about it and I just so happened to have an unrelated appointment booked with him for later this week so at least I can talk to him without having to wait a month or so. She also suggesting reporting all of this crap to the governing body for health care issues.
I don't know what to feel. I'm angry and confused. It feels like I've lived on a diet consisting of nothing but knuckle sandwiches for the longest time, with these recent revelations being a huge one-dish buffet.
I just needed to get this off my chest.

The metal Olympics are taking place in the wild world of commodities, with gold, silver and copper-based bronze all scoring a place on the podium. New highs continue to be notched in the latest games, though there is skepticism about the results and the possibilities of a rigged performance. However, for those betting on which medal might be awarded next, there is plenty to consider for all the competitors:
Gold: The yellow metal just hit levels of over $2,450 per ounce despite a strong American economy and U.S. dollar. Analysts have pointed to a coming Fed pivot on interest rates, as well as geopolitical tensions that have increased demand for the safe haven. Not only are investors getting involved, but there has been a large amount of buying from central banks, while the retail crowd is even getting in on the action with gold bars from Costco (COST).
Silver: The metal has outperformed gold in recent weeks, bringing its total gain to 32% YTD, compared to gold's 18% return. It also benefits from all the safe haven attributes of its shiny cousin, such as a popular hedge against inflation, along with some distinctive practical qualities of its own. Silver is used for industrial purposes, like solar panel cells, and is relatively cheap in ounces when compared to pricey gold.
Copper: The latest rip has made numerous headlines after hitting all-time highs on exchanges across the globe. Fear of supply shortages and trade disputes has helped generate buzz around the industrial bellwether, which is also key for the green transition and rising electrification needs. Copper is used in EVs, wind turbines, power transmission and AI data centers, meaning there are actual supply and demand fundamentals to assess when evaluating the worth of the red metal.
Too shiny? The commodity competition can experience chaotic events, with scandals and manipulation hitting items like nickel and cocoa in recent years. There is speculation that this might be going on this time around, triggered by leveraged contract buying, short squeeze momentum, or price premiums on different exchanges. Others see a lot of metal potential that has even resulted in some real-world M&A action, such as BHP's (BHP) $39B proposed takeover of Anglo American (OTCQX:AAUKF), which would create the world's top copper producer.
Wall Street leadership Succession plans are "well on the way" at JPMorgan (JPM), with Jamie Dimon saying it's up to the board to determine how much longer he'll remain CEO. "I think when I can't put the jersey on and give it my full effort, I should leave," he announced at the bank's Investor Day, adding that the timetable "is not five years anymore." Dimon also outlined that the lender will not repurchase a lot of stock at current prices, noting that such a buyback - at a valuation of 2.3 times tangible book value - would be "a mistake." JPM shares slipped 4.5% following the comments on Tuesday, but are up more than 40% over the past year. (60 comments)
Pulling a 180? Cryptocurrencies are back in rally mode as traders increasingly bet on the approval of the first spot ether ETF. While the industry previously did not expect the SEC to give the green light, the regulator has reportedly requested that ETF issuers update 19b-4 filings on an accelerated basis. The development signals some progress, but it doesn't mean it's a done deal. Ether (ETH-USD) is still up big on the news, soaring 20% to $3,708. The SEC's decision on VanEck's spot ether ETF application is expected on Thursday, and one from ARK Invest is due on Friday. (1 comment)
Bear capitulation One of Wall Street's prominent bears has finally turned positive on his outlook for the stock market as indexes continue to hit record highs. Mike Wilson, equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, now calls for the S&P 500 (SP500) to rise to 5,400, higher than his previous year-end target of 4,500, which was one of the lowest on Wall Street. The forecast is derived from a 19x P/E multiple on 12-month forward EPS based on June 2026 of $283. "This earnings path is based on our economists' growth forecasts, output from our earnings models, and our view that AI diffusion will boost margins starting in 2025," Wilson declared. (48 comments)
Today's Markets
In Asia, Japan -0.3%. Hong Kong -2.1%. China -0.4%. India -0.1%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.4%. Paris -1%. Frankfurt -0.4%. Futures at 7:00, Dow flat. S&P flat. Nasdaq -0.1%. Crude -1.4% to $78.16. Gold -0.6% to $2,423.40. Bitcoin +5.8% to $71,004. Ten-year Treasury Yield -2 bps to 4.43%.
Today's Economic Calendar
9:00 Fed's Barkin Speech 9:00 Fed's Waller Speech 9:05 Fed's Williams Speech 9:10 Fed's Bostic Speech 11:45 Fed’s Barr Speech 7:00 PM Fed's Bostic Speech
Companies reporting earnings today »
What else is happening...
WSB survey results: Be aware of risks related to meme rallies.
Gruenberg to quit as FDIC chair after toxic work culture scandal.
Mester: More data needed before Fed cuts as inflation progress stalls.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) tumbles after lowering billings guidance.
OpenAI to pause ChatGPT voice as it resembles Scarlett Johansson.
EV drama: Tesla shareholders to vote on Elon Musk's pay package.
China's Li Auto (LI) postpones all-electric SUV launch until 2025.
Hims & Hers (HIMS) sells cheap versions of GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
Trump Media (DJT) reports hefty quarterly loss on very little revenue.
Calpers to oppose all Exxon (XOM) directors in shareholder dispute.

I'm struggling with this FXAA shader. First, here are the current results:
https://preview.redd.it/x3xiubohur1d1.png?width=839&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8e7f0f2572beeb345ba8c399f49cd3f951956a4
Here are the unfiltered results:
https://preview.redd.it/8slndbm0vr1d1.png?width=885&format=png&auto=webp&s=7d465312ee4e9b946413680b4a1d8559a2db366b
My shader was based on this: https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/blob/masteData/Sys/Shaders/FXAA.glsl
Here's my shader:

#version 330 core in vec2 tex_coords; out vec4 color; uniform sampler2D screen_texture; uniform vec2 resolution; void main() { float FXAA_REDUCE_MIN = (1.0/ 128.0); float FXAA_REDUCE_MUL = (1.0 / 8.0); float FXAA_SPAN_MAX = 8.0; vec2 inv_resolution = vec2(1.0)/resolution; vec3 rgbNW = texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + inv_resolution * vec2(-1, -1)).xyz; vec3 rgbNE = texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + inv_resolution * vec2(1, -1)).xyz; vec3 rgbSW = texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + inv_resolution * vec2(-1, 1)).xyz; vec3 rgbSE = texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + inv_resolution * vec2(1, 1)).xyz; vec3 rgbM = texture(screen_texture, tex_coords).xyz; vec3 luma = vec3(0.299, 0.587, 0.114); float lumaNW = dot(rgbNW, luma); float lumaNE = dot(rgbNE, luma); float lumaSW = dot(rgbSW, luma); float lumaSE = dot(rgbSE, luma); float lumaM = dot(rgbM, luma); float lumaMin = min(lumaM, min(min(lumaNW, lumaNE), min(lumaSW, lumaSE))); float lumaMax = max(lumaM, max(max(lumaNW, lumaNE), max(lumaSW, lumaSE))); vec2 dir; dir.x = -((lumaNW + lumaNE) - (lumaSW + lumaSE)); dir.y = ((lumaNW + lumaSW) - (lumaNE + lumaSE)); float dirReduce = max((lumaNW + lumaNE + lumaSW + lumaSE) * (0.25 * FXAA_REDUCE_MUL), FXAA_REDUCE_MIN); float rcpDirMin = 1.0 / (min(abs(dir.x), abs(dir.y)) + dirReduce); dir = min( vec2(FXAA_SPAN_MAX, FXAA_SPAN_MAX), max( vec2(-FXAA_SPAN_MAX, -FXAA_SPAN_MAX), dir * rcpDirMin ) ) * inv_resolution; vec3 rgbA = 0.5 * ( texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + dir * (1.0 / 3.0 - 0.5)).xyz + texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + dir * (2.0 / 3.0 - 0.5)).xyz); vec3 rgbB = rgbA * 0.5 + 0.25 * ( texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + dir * -0.5).xyz + texture(screen_texture, tex_coords + dir * 0.5).xyz); float lumaB = dot(rgbB, luma); if ((lumaB < lumaMin) (lumaB > lumaMax)) { color = vec4(rgbA, 1); } else { color = vec4(rgbB, 1); } } 

I have been starting to think that this is just a limitation of using this shader with pixel art, but I have seen some pretty good results from FXAA before and thought I would ask for help before giving up. I am planning on switching to a multi-sampled buffer if this doesn't work out.
Related question: Will there be any significant performance penalty for using a multi-sampled fbo? And how many samples are generally used? I have only seen a minimum based on the number of channels.
Thanks for any help!

Hello, I hope anyone who is reading this is having a great day/night. I am a 25 year old nonbinary writer in search for a rp partner who’s interested in writing a literate/novella style story based in the world of Baldurs Gate 3. I am also open to alternative universes involving the characters from BG3.
I'm currently looking for a possibly long term canon x oc or oc x oc roleplay. I'm exclusively interested in writing stories with lgbtq+ characters so if you are interesting in exclusively writing straight characters and pairings, I am not the partner to reach out to. Currently my primary cravings are Bloodweave, Astarion x Durge/Tav or Gortash x Dark Urge.
Characters I am comfortable playing (* are a current craving): Gale, Astarion, Gortash, Halsin, Karlach, Kar'Niss, Dame Aylin, Tav (OC), Dark Urge (OC)*
Characters I am looking to play against(* are my faves): Gale, Astarion, Halsin, Wyll, Gortash*, Dark Urge (oc), Tav (oc), Shadowheart, Isobel, Karlach
Below is some information about me and what I am looking for in a partner: (Please read this before you reach out. There is a password hidden in there to ensure you have read it. If you reach out to me, start out your message with said password.)

• No one liners! I use roleplaying as a creative outlet and I feel like both of us would be able to have A LOT more fun if some effort is put into it. I am looking for partners interested in writing literate-novella style roleplays. But I also value quality over quantity and won't police you on wordcount. Just try to keep it to at least a few paragraphs.
  
• I write in third person past tense and need you to do the same. Literacy is also something I value and I would love someone who uses a lot of descriptive language etc. I will not be mad for grammatical errors as English isn't my native language anyway, but I would like to be able to understand what you're saying and I'd like for you to know the difference between you're, your, their, they're etc.
  
• Be patient with my responses. I am a working adult and I have a life outside of roleplaying. This means I can't be online the 24/7 for replies. I am most likely available for OOC talk most of the time. The more you'll push me for a response when I'm busy the more likely you are to not get one at all. Please be respectful and I will do the exact same to you.
  
• You need to pull your own weight in the rp, I don't want to lead your character through the plot, this is meant to be a story we create together.
  
• I love talking about our characters and whatever world we decide to go for. Plotting and just talking about headcanons/whatever is also great and something I appreciate a lot. The password is blighted.
  
• I am very friendly OOC and will gladly have OOC conversations with you if that's something you'd want!
  
• I would prefer to roleplay with someone in my age range.
  
• I will not reply to you if I feel like you did not read all of these things properly.
  
• I am happy to provide writing samples to ensure we are a good match, and will happily take yours.
  

If reading this still leaves you interested, feel free to reach out to me. Start out your message by giving me the password, telling me about yourself, what characters you are looking to play/for me to play, what kind of story you would like to do. I will not reply to vague messages.

When searching for fantasy sports app developers, prioritize these 5 factors to find the perfect fit for your project:

1. Project Clarity: Before diving in, define your app's core features, target audience (casual vs. die-hard fans), and how you plan to make money (subscriptions, in-app purchases, etc.). This clarity will guide your search towards developers who can fulfill your vision.
2. Developer Expertise: Look for fantasy sports app developers with a proven track record. Do they have experience with the features you need (real-time scoring, social media integration)? Are they well-versed in relevant technologies like AI for personalized experiences or blockchain for secure transactions?
3. Communication & Transparency: Clear communication is key. Can they explain their development process and costs in a way you understand? Do they provide detailed proposals outlining timelines and milestones? Open and honest communication fosters trust and a smooth development process.
4. Portfolio & Reputation: Request to see their past work, focusing on fantasy sports apps if possible. A strong portfolio showcases their design aesthetic, technical capabilities, and understanding of the genre. Seek out client testimonials to gain insights into their work ethic, communication style, and ability to deliver on time and within budget.
5. Value Over Price: While cost is important, prioritize the value a developer brings to your project. The cheapest option might not be the best in the long run. Consider factors like experience, expertise, and their ability to deliver a high-quality, user-friendly app that stands out in the competitive fantasy sports market.

Conclusion
By prioritizing these key factors, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the landscape of fantasy sports app developers and select the ideal partner. Remember, the best developer isn't just about the lowest price tag. It's about finding a team that aligns with your project goals, possesses the technical expertise to excel, and shares your passion for creating an exceptional fantasy sports app experience for your users. So, embark on your quest with confidence, knowing you have the tools to find the perfect developer and turn your fantasy sports dream into a thriving reality.

Howdy
I run a whole range of campaigns on behalf of local authorities, local government, and NHS in the UK, and keep coming round to the same question.
What is a decent outcome when you only have access to campaign figures, without societal context?
For example, if we're running a campaign around increasing awareness of breastfeeding facilities in a region, what do I count as a win? The commissioners rarely have budget to carry out an actual evaluation into whether there has been an on-the-street change (increased enquiries, more open perceptions to breastfeeding in public), so I need to rely solely on engagement figures. I can see a high percentage of viewers watch at least three quarters of video content, which suggests its engaging. I can see that we get lots of clicks to the campaign site. However, where I'm always asked to compare it to industry averages, the averages available are generally sales based, which doesn't feel relevant here, and it feels like a copout to compare it to different audiences (for example, the next closest thing I have to compare it to is a 'vaccination in pregnant women' campaign, which comes with all sorts of different preconceptions, so feels like a cheat!)
Another example would be that we've run a campaign exploring consent with youths; we've got loads of engagement and discussion on TikTok, and view ratios are (seemingly) high, but with a goal of 'Make sure kids are talking about this topic' I don't know the best metric to refer to as success for this. Whilst my response is largely "you can't find this out from digital metrics alone, you need to get a representative sample of youths from the region and see if they recall seeing the ads, and have they discussed them at all" the push back from my managers is that I need to hit them with a metric and an industry average. I'm a little stumped!
So, for anyone working in behaviour change/nudge, what are you using to make comparisons for success?
Thanks!

In today’s digital era, live chat jobs have become an increasingly popular option for those seeking flexible and convenient remote work. This comprehensive review of “Live Chat Jobs” will provide an in-depth look at the nature of these roles, the skills required, the top companies hiring, and employee experiences. Through a detailed analysis of “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” we aim to offer valuable insights for anyone considering this career path.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today
\***Affiliate disclaimer**** this article contains affiliate links if you click on the link and purchase the product I will receive a small commission from the product owner this is at no cost to you thank you James :)*

Understanding Live Chat Jobs

Nature of Work

Live chat jobs involve providing real-time customer support through online chat platforms. As a live chat agent, you interact with customers, answer their questions, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance — all through a chat interface. These roles are often remote, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home.

Key Skills Required

To excel in live chat jobs, certain skills are essential:

• Communication Skills: Effective and clear communication is crucial. You must understand and interpret customer queries and provide concise responses.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Quick and creative problem-solving abilities are vital for resolving customer issues efficiently.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in navigating chat systems and other relevant software is necessary.
• Customer Service Skills: Patience, professionalism, and empathy are key to managing customer interactions successfully.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Top Companies for Live Chat Jobs

Leading Employers

Several companies are renowned for offering excellent live chat job opportunities. According to various “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” the following companies stand out:

• LiveChat: Known for its robust customer service platform, LiveChat offers competitive pay and growth opportunities.
• Smith.ai: Provides flexible work schedules and comprehensive training for its live chat agents.
• Apple: Offers attractive benefits and career advancement opportunities for its chat support staff.

Notable Mentions

Other notable companies include Clearcover, ExecOnline, and HubSpot, all of which provide competitive salaries, benefits, and remote work options. These companies frequently receive positive “Live Chat Jobs Reviews” for their supportive work environments and comprehensive training programs.

Job Market Insights

Salary Expectations

Based on “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” the average salary for a live chat agent in 2024 is around $35,000 per year. However, this can vary widely depending on the company, location, and experience level. Some companies offer hourly pay rates, while others provide a base salary plus commission.

Job Growth Prospects

The demand for live chat agents is expected to grow as more companies move towards online customer service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of customer service representatives, including live chat agents, is projected to grow by 2% from 2022 to 2032. The diverse applicability of these roles across various industries also contributes to their growing demand.

Employee Experiences

Positive reviews from employees highlight the benefits of working in live chat jobs. Many appreciate the remote work option, flexible schedules, and the opportunity for career growth. Commonly mentioned advantages include a better work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Tips for Success in Live Chat Jobs

• Be Professional: Maintain a professional tone, use proper grammar, and respond promptly.
• Be Empathetic: Show understanding and empathy towards customers’ concerns.
• Be Knowledgeable: Have a thorough understanding of the products or services you support.
• Be Proactive: Identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate.
• Be Flexible: Adapt to different customer personalities and situations.

Benefits of Live Chat Jobs

Flexibility

One of the most appealing aspects of live chat jobs is the flexibility they offer. You can set your own hours and work from home, making it easier to balance work with personal commitments.

Work-Life Balance

The remote nature of live chat jobs often leads to a better work-life balance. Without the need for a daily commute, you have more time for family, hobbies, and other pursuits.

Low Barrier to Entry

Live chat jobs typically do not require extensive qualifications or prior experience. As long as you have strong communication skills, you can secure an entry-level position.

Variety

The diverse range of customer interactions ensures that no two days are the same, keeping the job interesting and engaging.

Income Potential

With many live chat jobs offering $14-$25 per hour, the income potential is significant. Performance bonuses and incentives can further increase your earnings.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Challenges of Live Chat Jobs

Difficult Customers

Dealing with frustrated or impatient customers can be challenging. Maintaining a calm and professional demeanor is crucial but can be taxing.

Fast-Paced Environment

Handling multiple live chats simultaneously requires strong multitasking skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Technical Issues

Technical problems, such as connectivity issues or software glitches, can disrupt your work and require quick troubleshooting.

Self-Motivation

Working from home requires self-discipline and motivation to stay productive and avoid distractions.

Limited Career Progression

While there are opportunities for advancement, such as becoming a senior agent or supervisor, the upward mobility in live chat jobs can be limited compared to other fields.

How to Find and Apply for Live Chat Jobs

Job Search Tips

When searching for live chat jobs, prepare a detailed resume highlighting your communication abilities and relevant experience. Expect a typing test during the application process to assess your speed and accuracy. Aim for at least 60 words per minute with 90% accuracy.

Pre-Employment Assessments

Some companies conduct personality tests, writing samples, and multitasking tests to evaluate your suitability for the role. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to handle multiple tasks and communicate effectively.

Recommended Websites

• LiveChat Jobs: A dedicated platform for finding live chat job opportunities.
• Working Solutions: Offers various customer support roles, including live chat positions.
• Smith.ai: Known for its flexible work schedules and comprehensive training.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

How to Succeed and Grow as a Live Chat Agent

Master Core Platform Features

• Learn keyboard shortcuts for faster responses.
• Use predefined snippets for common replies.
• Set automatic greetings to welcome customers instantly.

Smoothly Handle Different Customers

• Angry Customers: Listen actively, validate their feelings, and focus on resolving their issues.
• Confused Customers: Ask clarifying questions and provide step-by-step support.
• Impatient Customers: Acknowledge their urgency and respond quickly.
• Overly Chatty Customers: Politely steer conversations back on track.

Boost Expertise

• Shadow top performers to learn from their experience.
• Build a personal knowledge base with resolution steps for common issues.
• Improve your technical skills to handle customer inquiries more effectively.

Improve Typing Abilities

• Benchmark your typing speed and aim for improvements.
• Practice regularly with online typing games and tools.
• Ensure proper ergonomics to prevent fatigue and improve speed.

Increase Income

• Upsell and cross-sell to increase order values.
• Gather positive feedback to improve your visibility and reputation.
• Volunteer for additional training or shadowing opportunities to expand your skill set.

If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today

Frequently Asked Questions about Live Chat Jobs

What qualifications do I need?

Strong written communication skills, typing ability, and basic computer literacy are essential. Some companies may require customer service experience or a college degree.

What equipment or tools will I need?

A modern computer with a stable high-speed internet connection is essential. Dual monitors and ergonomic accessories can improve productivity and comfort.

What is the work environment like?

The work environment is typically autonomous, with flexible schedules and independent tasks. Multitasking and managing multiple chats simultaneously are common.

How much does it pay?

Most live chat jobs pay between $14-$25 per hour. Performance bonuses and incentives can increase total earnings.

What are advancement opportunities like?

Advancement opportunities may include senior or supervisory roles. However, upward mobility can be limited compared to other fields.

Do you have any other advice?

Assess your strengths and weaknesses to ensure this career aligns with your skills and working style. Patience, focus, and conflict resolution skills are crucial for success in live chat jobs.

Conclusion

Live chat jobs offer a flexible and rewarding work-from-home opportunity. As highlighted in numerous “Live Chat Jobs Reviews,” these positions provide a good income, the ability to set your own schedule, and the comfort of working from home. While there are challenges, such as dealing with difficult customers and maintaining self-discipline, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks. With the right skills and dedication, you can build a successful career in live chat support and enjoy the numerous advantages it offers.
If you want to learn more how to make money with Live Chat Jobs click this link to get all the training you need to get started today
\***Affiliate disclaimer**** this article contains affiliate links if you click on the link and purchase the product I will receive a small commission from the product owner this is at no cost to you thank you James :)*

Has anyone experienced these symptoms
So for the past month I've been suffering for I'm guessing a bad flare up in my stomach. I was taking 40mg of omeprazole and a few months ago was feeling great, eating the food I loved so I made the dumb mistake to stopped taking them cold turkey. Well a month ago I had the worst acid dump and wreaked havoc in my stomach and esophagus. I had this happen a year ago and I stopped eating and lost 20lbs. Now I feel like I'm going down the same rabbit hole.
They symptoms are feeling like a roll of dough in the top middle of my abdomen. Pretty much my stomach area. I still have the burning sensation in my esophagus and tongue. I constantly have esophagus spasms that are driving me nuts. Keeps me up all night and gives me anxiety. Also when I eat something and when the good goes down my esophagus and right when it hits the sphincter it feels like it gets stuck for a second and then feels like it scraps it while going down into my stomach. I'm beginning to lose weight again. I do feel like I have an hemorrhoid so now having trouble passing stools. I'm in constant fight or flight mode. Body fatigue, feeling symptoms of dehydration, brain fog, when I get excited my heart rate begins to race and I feel like lava running through my vains, my throat feels tight at times and stings that comes and goes, the constant belching, can't sleep at night due to a rush of tightness that rushes in the middle of my chest that comes and goes like every 2 minutes 🥺.
I suffer from health anxiety so the first thought is stomach or esophageal cancer but from I'm getting told from people that has experienced this that it could possibly be gastritis, peptic ulcer, esophagitis at times my stomach feels inflamed when I drink water. Even when I talk I get short of breath 😟
I force myself to ear but before I do I start to get nauseated but then when I do eat I eat all my food as if I was hungry. Anxiety?? Just wanting to see some of yalls thoughts
A year ago I've gotten blood work, xrays, ultrasounds, barium swallow, stool samples, and a CT scan and all have come back negative for cancer so why can't I trust the results. If it's an ulcer how long does it take to heal and does it give you flu like symptoms when it flares up?