Well not these days! Postal services were actually one of the first institutions to start using a ML based image classifier to determine zip codes automatically from people’s hand writing. I could easily see something like that existing for X-rays to auto-classify package contents if they wanted. That being said, I agree that they haven’t seemed motivated to implement that (thank goodness).

I’m not on HRT and I’m still learning about it. I’m a newbie. But as someone who has struggled with depression, I advocate constantly for therapy. I feel like hormones have got to impact your brain chemistry in a myriad of ways. If you can afford therapy (if you’re not still going) and checking in with your doctor, I think that would be a good idea.

I’m sorry you’re going through such a hard time. Don’t forget to reach out to your support system. Sometimes a coffee date with an old friend or a call to a family (chosen or not) can be just as healing as an hour of therapy. I hope you know people care about you and you matter.

There should only be 12 jurors (maybe you’ve already done this). People should have to wait in a queue to join a jury of 12. Once you have 12 you all vote within 30 seconds. Everyone should see the results. If a jury is a hung jury, it ends up back in the queue. Majority wins. Users can only appeal once.

Basically it should mimic jury duty a little more closely. Right now, it just feels like you’re doing a survey.

Totally agree. Plastic is useful. It’s great for medical, sterilized, environments. It’s great for emergencies. It’s terrible for almost everything else.

If you’d like to read a relevant anecdote about plastics, please continue:

I’m currently struggling with the plastic industry on my keyboards right now. I have a 2016 Macbook Pro, but the scissor mechanism on my key broke on the board (not the key). In order to replace the keyboard, I’d have to spend $200-$400 on it. So, it’s basically only good for recycling for parts now since the value of the Macbook Pro 2016 is basically the cost of the keyboard replacement. Someday, I might use it for just the hardware (e.g., on a docking station), but I want a laptop for - you know - walking around.

Instead, I “rescued” a Lenovo Thinkpad from eBay for $60. Unfortunately, the scissor mechanism on the same key broke last night. I got the laptop yesterday afternoon! But at least I can replace the whole keyboard myself for $30 so I guess I’ll have a working laptop by Saturday night. Assuming no other plastic things break.

Anyways, my point is that plastic - especially plastic with a short lifetime - sucks. They should just use teeny metal bits for the scissor mechanism. Give my laptop keyboards some umph and durability. Stop building things that inevitable (apparently) will break!

Corn? No. Corn nuts? Absolutely, sign me up.

I appreciate the concern and it’s super kind of you to bring that all up. I’ve dealt with depression my whole life and I’ve gone to extensive therapy to treat it. On the positive side, I have tons of tools, medications, and support to deal with depression. My wife is aware of my history and I’m going to therapy. I’m taking Lexapro to alleviate my general depression. I’m not super worried about it because my wife and I understand that – if it ever gets to that point – I’ll take HRT to alleviate my symptoms and begin fully transitioning.

Kids are really important to me. I’ve always wanted a decently sized family and my first child has been nothing but joy (and work, but mostly joy). As for the IVF, it’s definitely on the table. My wife and I are going to assess a natural pregnancy solution in a few months and decide then if we’re interested in trying. I’m pretty sure I can hang on that long. In the meantime, I’m doing everything I can via diet, exercise, and hair to achieve the goals that HRT isn’t going to naturally provide. I’m hoping that we can get pregnant, I can then freeze my sperm, and then I can go on HRT. Basically, I’d be waiting 6-9 months before the HRT arrives at my doorstep. That’s a long time and my plans might change, but that’s the currently plan.

Yeah I’m definitely struggling internally but I’ve been ok. I really want more kids and IVF is expensive. We are considering freezing my sperm, but it’s expensive and I’m not exactly wealthy. I’m not poor, but I am a little strapped these days. I don’t know what to do about it but I feel a bit stuck. My life plan is to have 2-3 kids. My wife wants more kids as well. She’s nervous about the costs of IVF and she’s afraid IVF might not work which would start to get even more costly. It’s all very new to both of us so it’s hard to just suddenly turn around and change our life plans drastically. I only came out to her a month ago or so.

Congratulations! 🎉 Sounds like a great week

Lol yes, she would. I am considering freezing materials for IVF for sure!

https://c.tenor.com/F1dwCtxfiW8AAAAC/tenor.gif

I’m not really worried about my body too much. I’m not super dysphoric about the shape (though I want my belly fat to go away). But I do really want the effeminate look in the face and hair. Are those apps still unrealistic? It’s hard to imagine I’ll never get to that goal point.

That’s a good point. I have therapy on Friday and I’ve been bottling up a lot of those feelings for that. But I’m going to bring it up to my wife. We’ve sort of bridged the emotional gap to the point that I think she’s comfortable affirming me without feeling concerned about the whole thing.

Are there any shows you watch that are made and broadcast only in Greenland that you would recommend to an American?

Oh BROTHER this guy stinks!

if (ugly) {
    kill_child(child_name);
} else {
    ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
}

Parks? Gross. I like parking lots.

The most generous assumption is that they use statistics to determine correlations like this (e.g., deleted selfies resulted in a high CTR for beauty ads so they made that a part of their algo). The least generous interpretation is exactly what you’re thinking: an asshole came up with it because it’s logical and effective.

Either way, ethics needs to be a bigger part of the programmers education. And we, as a society, need to make algorithms more transparent (at least social media algorithms). Reddit’s trending algorithm used to be open source during the good ole days.

Shittiest week in a long time. I am super sick. I had an argument with a coworker about how to clear up some stuff. He told me I had to go drive to an office; I called the office and they told me they can’t do anything for me. But he insisted. So I went. On my way I got a speeding ticket (my first ever ticket). When I got to the office they told me “you shouldn’t be here, you need to go do blah blah blah”. Just like I said to my coworker. He was annoyed at me for not arguing with them even though I was just following instructions.

Then my mother-in-law had a mini-stroke (a couple of days ago). So that sucks for a variety of reasons. Luckily she’s doing quite well. Only a bit of confusion and aphasia.

Overall, it’s just been a brutal week. I know it’ll get better though. When it rains…

Kung Pao Enter the Fist. Warning: you must be immature and somewhat comfortable with jokes that might not have aged well. I haven’t watched it since I was a teen, but I remember thinking it was hilarious back then…

Maybe just stick with Space Balls and The Room.