It’s been decades but Anna Karenina is still in my top five favorite books.

One of my best friends turned 83 a few weeks ago. I’m 39 and we’ve been close for almost a decade. We have so much in common and it’s been such a rich and rewarding friendship! I think I’m my “most authentic” self around him. Not that I’m specifically hiding things from other friends, but we’ve had similar struggles and similar perspectives on things. It makes it easier to talk about anything and everything! It’s always funny seeing people assume I’m his biracial granddaughter. Haha!

In the next year or so, I’m moving out of the US and he’s going to move closer to family down south. It’s going to be bittersweet. But it’s heartening to know that you can make new, meaningful connections at any point.

To be fair, a lot of that feeling is due to us having more information, delivered more quickly. I watched a history video recently on the rampant corruption during Ulysses S Grant’s presidency. It led to a lot of reform to prevent it happening again.

The video used it as a silver lining to show the US can come back from the bullshit currently happening. Not sure I agree. I’ve lost my faith in not just the government, but at least half of my fellow citizens and am planning my exit. But you know, the point remains.

Thanks! I was also looking at this guide linked from one of the privacy communities I follow. https://www.privacyguides.org/en/mobile-phones/

I went ahead and got a pixel phone since that’s what I’ve gotten the last few years and it’s recommend. Definitely going to look into GrapheneOS. I also use my phone for work and that might have to stop soon. There’s a “wall” between my personal stuff and all the Microsoft related work apps. But I know there’s no way that’s secure.

I’m aware, thus my last sentence about the environmental and human impact. I try to go as long as possible between phones but issues pop up (I’m sure it’s by design) and I have to upgrade. I bought my current phone in late 2023. It shouldn’t need replacing so soon!

I need a new phone and am on Google Fi (I know…). I went to look at the phones for sale and they are touting their AI capabilities. I should find a new service and get a phone through them, but that’s research I just don’t want to spend time doing. Why are electronics so terrible when it covers to environmental and human impacts?!?

Humans can’t even stop exploiting other humans. Bees and other animals don’t stand a chance.

I’m so glad you find it helpful! This is the first time I’ve watched something from Step Back, but it was an immediate follow for me too.

Thanks for the rec! Subscribed. If you can afford it, I also recommend Nebula which specializes in more long form videos. The UI still needs some TLC compared to YouTube, but there’s a vast improvement in content quality.

A bit of a beast in terms of the amount of information communicated, but it’s the best video I’ve seen in terms of providing the historical context behind the relationship between the US and Iran. I wasn’t aware of the insider trading bits but am 0% surprised.

I’ve tried to avoid day to day news on the war for my own mental health but have found long form videos/documentaries as a good alternative to staying informed without being subjected to rage bait type content.