I had a similar problem with my last monitor (with a Windows PC.) It would randomly flicker vertical lines, and those lines would show a “ghost image” of something that was on screen when it started. I think it had to do with its variable refresh rate, as it often seemed to happen after gaming or tabbing from full screen to the desktop. But I could never find a reliable way to replicate the bug.

I could always temporarily fix it by running a “stuck pixel” video in full screen for 10-15 mins, like this: (seizure warning) https://youtu.be/-2eQhhMvi-U

It wasn’t really “stuck pixels” but it seemed to blast the problem away for some reason. Could’ve been coincidence though.

If it’s a variable refresh rate issue between the Mac and monitor, you could also try turning Adaptive Sync off if you don’t need it: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102144 And also disable it in your monitor’s onboard settings if you do turn it off or already have it off.

I went through a few different GPUs over the years with that same buggy monitor, including the GPU I have now. I since upgraded to a new monitor, and this one has not had any problems in the 6+ months of using.

So I’d hazard a guess that it’s the monitor. Try the pixel video if it happens again or messing with Adaptive Sync. If it doesn’t work, try other similar videos. Maybe it will help.

I’ve been trying to find some excuses to be optimistic. Here’s a few potential silver linings:

1. If Trump/Project 2025 manages to accomplish their goal of tearing down the federal government, people will suffer immediately, including republicans, when they lose their Medicare, social security, access to healthcare, free education (daycare), prices go up, wages stay stagnant, unemployment and underemployment skyrocket, etc. This could open up a window in 2028 or 2032 where these programs need to be replaced, and it can be with non-halfassed universal systems like single-payer health insurance, UBI, etc. All the big brain swing voters might even be desperate and angry enough to actually pay attention and support them.

2. I hope 2024 demonstrated the importance of having primaries and participating in them. We might look forward to increased turnout in 2026 and 2028 primaries. If people want to nominate a left-leaning Democrat, primary turnout needs to be overwhelming. Unfortunately they might need to see centrists get wrecked a few more times. It’s possible that a third party rises out of this eventually, but more likely a progressive Democrat will eventually get a chance to run. In any case, sitting on your hands and whining about the system is not effective.

Do these help during the next 4 years? Not really, but go vote in the fucking primary in 2026 and nominate congressional candidates who want to talk about progressive policies. A little bit of hope goes a long way. Moderates don’t offer hope. 2016-2020 felt bearable because I thought Sanders would have a chance in 2020. I need some hope for 2028.

Also vote in your local elections in 2025 and 2027 too.

We can’t move on without a proper segue. How about politics+beans memes? I can’t imagine anyone would be unhappy with that.

I saw this in real time and it was even more disgusting than can be conveyed in text. You really need to see and hear these two goblins shouting and wheezing to get an accurate picture of where they want Democrats to go in the future.

Quick, someone quietly transfer OP to a different parish

Sorry, but the answer we were looking for is “I’ll need to work on this over the weekend.” That’ll be all for today. We’ll call you.

Nomad Modern Leather (Horween) case.

I’ve used Apple’s leather and silicon cases and Otterbox cases. The Apple cases fell apart within 6 months. The Otterbox’s insides tore apart within a year. The Nomad is still perfectly fine after 2 years.

It’s expensive, like $70-80, but it’s not plastic. I’ve scratched and gouged the leather on it big time, thinking it was permanently disfigured, and it just buffs out on its own in a few days.

They make non-leather cases too, including a heavy duty one with 15-ft drop protection and lay-flat bumpers, but I can’t speak to their quality. Their charging cables and watch bands are excellent though, so I imagine their other products are also worth the premium price.

Edit: the MagSafe on my leather case is perfect.

Never trust a sentient cucumber

I never had to see one IRL until yesterday, when I saw two in about 3 minutes. I was surprised at how much more dangerous and stupid they look in person.

I have nipples, Greg.

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The Apple dongle is very good and very cheap. YMMV on Android - it should be fine but I recall seeing some complaints a while back. Don’t remember what the issue was.

You can see its DAC measurements here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-apple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

It’s often recommended as an entry-level DAC for audiophiles who want to focus their budget on amps and speakers when starting out. It’s transparent and there’s no need for any reasonable human to ever replace it, as far as sound quality goes. Build quality and connections are its limitations.

My PC has an Aorus Master x570 MOBO with “high end” (above average) onboard sound, and the $9 plug-and-play Apple dongle was a noticeable improvement. Almost every external DAC will beat onboard PC sound, but this thing is silly. It’s worth a try - return it if there’s any compatibility issue, or keep it handy for other uses, but I imagine any bugs are resolved at this point.

That’s exactly what I’m doing, but I don’t normally call my stomach “a pot.”

When I open a steam page for a game that looks interesting to me, and I find out it has 3 versions at wildly different prices and 10+ other DLC, I just pass and move on. I’m not doing external research to find out what is the difference between the complete and ultra complete and definitive deluxe director’s cut editions and whether it’s worth it, or whether I “need” such and such DLC to get the full experience. I’m instantly and thoroughly turned off by it, and I’m just not bothering. Fuck that whole mess.

My SO to me after her 12 evenly spaced out morning alarms all occurred during hours 2-4 of my 5 hours of sleep last night.

We’re concerned that your home doesn’t look soul crushing enough. Please upgrade your home office by installing fluorescent tube lights and covering your walls with rough faded blue grey cloth, or we’ll need you to come into the office.

I use DuckDuckGo for search, and it gives you the option to watch full YT videos without actually going to YouTube. I only watch videos that I’ve searched for - not ones that YT suggests to me, so this has been sufficient. Watching this way does not have ads (so far) but it does warn that YT can still use trackers.

Other’s advice (plugins etc.) are probably better overall, but this is the simplest option for me. I haven’t felt the need to find a more robust solution, but that’s only because of how I use YouTube.

Edit - when you click a DDG search result that is YT, this pops up:

In the old tale, the stepsisters mutilated their feet to try to fit in the slipper. What’ll they come up with this time?

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Kids today don’t even know what’s in their shampoo anymore