• 39 Posts
  • 17 Comments
Joined 3 years ago
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Cake day: June 17th, 2023

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  • Oh duh, you did say that. The only other thing I could think of is going to the way back machine and getting one of the earlier apps like Mlem or Memmy, or message one of the app’s developers for a version that is compatible.

    The dev for Arctic has been pretty responsive and may be willing to help you out.













  • Most comments seem to be focused on the logistics of applying and financial concerns. Those are important, but before that I would strongly suggest you evaluate your reasons for doing the program and understand your commitment. For one, interviews and applications will want to know this anyway, and two, these reasons can be tested when things get difficult.

    A few insights: school has changed in the last few decades. Things are more lean and there is more expected from students. A big divide if you consider a PhD program is whether it is a researched based (eg R1) or teaching school. A research based school is more competitive and honestly feels like a business sometimes. How many papers can you crank out? Can you devote extra time to helping research professors so that you get better opportunities?

    There is a changing (and unclear) landscape of software. Sources libraries and PDF organizers can be helpful. Most the students I know are using some form of AI to read or write papers, and they make edits and such. There is ongoing debate on the ethics, but people are using it regardless. If the precedent becomes writing papers at the efficiency of using AI to structure the papers, the level of expectations again rises.

    Also be sure to have a support system in place. Things can get overwhelming and frustrating, and leaning on people when needed will be important.

    Start with really pondering your reasons for doing the program and see if a program would fit those needs. And it would be a great idea to reach out to current students at least a couple of different schools to get their input on how the program is. There is only so much you can gain from reading the website. If it is really what you want to do, start looking at the requirements and email the program director or assistant to see if you’re missing anything.


  • First, I’m not a counselor but I highly recommend one. It is so useful to sort things out with someone. It sounds like you are conflicted between two bad options: conform to fit in, or be patronized. Those both suck and I can see why that can cause anguish.

    Is there any way you can be around people that dont fit those two categories? Someone that you can relate to and feel more like yourself?

    And some of what youre describing sounds similar to the Black exploitation in the film industry. People described their experience that they needed to act a certain way to “be Black” or they were not accepted. Just an idea, but could you put your art out there in a more anonymous way? The feedback you get might be more authentic, if that’s what you are looking for. Ideally you wouldnt need to do this, but unfortunately it is what some authors and artists have done to navigate the race-based treatment.

    I hope the best for you. It’s a shit world sometimes.








  • As someone who cares for elderly people sometimes, please please fill out an advanced directive (not just a living will). It’s a sort of “if this, then that” for health scenarios. It’s immensely helpful when when caring for someone not well, and can be much more stressful without one. I have had dying, incapacitated patients wait weeks for guardianship or POA-HC to be processed before care can be changed to comfort measures, because they did not have one on file.

    Get one from the hospital you would likely go to, fill it out, give them a copy, keep a copy, and give a copy to who you list as a decision-maker. You do not want to add the stress of logistics to an emotionally difficult time.

    I think as a society we should embrace death more. Pretending it doesn’t happen just makes things worse when that reality of mortality unwaveringly stares you in the face.