Timwi

Timwi, 8 months ago

This obviously assumes that you know exactly what metadata you want to eliminate and how to view it.

The OP’s whole point of asking is that they don't know the former.

Timwi, 9 months ago

The oppressive existential threat you reference doesn't need to exist for the universe to be a dark forest universe. It's enough for every sufficiently advanced civilization to realize that such a threat could exist and remain quiet and hidden just in case.

Timwi, 9 months ago

Humans have shown time and time again in their history that they are expansionist, imperialistic assholes. For aliens to be spooked, we only need to show that tendency on a cosmic scale. If we start sending out probes or even manned missions to far away places that are barely likely to support life, we will instantly label ourselves as greedy conquerors. As soon as a colony of ours starts sending out new missions to create even more colonies, that's when all civilizations, even the less advanced, realize that we're the first stage of a cosmic cancer that must be nipped in the bud at all costs.

Timwi, 9 months ago

I do agree with your probability assessment; I too think that the Prime Directive is a more plausible answer to the Fermi paradox, as is “we're just alone”.

However, it is not necessarily the case that everyone suddenly gets talking as soon as one of them breaks radio silence. If everyone is silent because of a perceived possible threat, then it stands to reason they will continue to be silent even when they receive a message.

Timwi, 1 year ago

They did hear what they had to say. What they had to say turned out to be a racist slur. I don't know what else you need.

Timwi, 1 year ago

I was just responding to your last sentence, “maybe at least hear what they have to say”, and pointed out that they already did that and the results are already in the original post. By saying “I don't know what else you need” I was implying that this is probably enough to judge their character and make a decision on how to move forward with one's relationship with them. To never talk to your parents again, ever, is a legitimate decision to make after considering these variables, and it's not our place to force the author to constantly second-guess that decision.

Timwi, 1 year ago

He's a CEO precisely because he does things like this. CEOs are selected for maximum profitability at the detriment of literally everything else. That's also why psychopathy is way more widespread among CEOs than the general population.

Timwi, 1 year ago

Oh boy, this is such an awesome story. Thank you for sticking it up to the abusive manager and entertaining us with the result.

Unfortunately I didn't have the guts to do this. I used to work at a place where everything was fine until a new line manager was installed who moved me to a different desk in another building. That desk was right next to the server room, which was noisy with a constant low-pitched grumbling. I was not able to think or concentrate in that environment, so I would frequently take my laptop to another floor and do my work there. The manager was not happy about that and demanded that I should return to my assigned desk and stay there. I told him it would mean I wouldn't be able to accomplish any work and he said something on the lines of “I don't care”. I should have taken him up on that; I should have stopped working entirely and just browsed the web all day until he gets wind of it and finally admits that he does care. But I was too cowardly to dare. I continued to defy him by spending most of my time at the “wrong” desk though.