I’m not an expert, so take this as far as you’d like — reading has real benefits to our brains such as improving vocabulary, improving critical thinking skills, and improving focus. I don’t think short form videos give us the same brain benefits.

Here’s an article from Piedmont health on the benefits of reading. I haven’t seen such an article for short form videos, but am open to it if there is one.

https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/health-benefits-of-reading

On the other hand, the older I get, the more excited I am to greet the next day.

I also enjoy an earlier bed time than I used to, usually.

Ah damn, and it looks like almonds are grown mostly in California. Adding insult to injury.

California-grown almonds account for 80 per cent of the world’s commercial almond production.

(From https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/the-best-plant-based-milks-for-the-planet/)

My thoughts exactly. I gain almost nothing with this design change, as compared to keeping the current or similar-to “bar” form and folding out from there.

I’m starting to have visions of Zoolander and his ridiculously small cell phone…

I just switched from Spotify to Tidal, and am enjoying lossless audio. We’ll see if I stay or go here.

It’s fun to try a new algorithm, too. I used SongShift to transfer my tracks and playlists (have been using that app for 5 years or so now).

Came here to say this. If you do a 360, you turned around twice.

I have a Soda Stream and use powders. The trick is to turn your powder into a “syrup” first.

Mix your powder with 1-2 oz of water, stir it well (I use a hand held milk frother), and then put that into your bubbly water.

Maybe it’s just important to stay generally social with folks of all types, as perspectives and conversations keep us young? Is that a good maxim?

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Where you live is one thing, but how you face the world is another. As we age, it seems that we have increased challenges in the areas you note.

Trust becomes harder. Acknowledging our own faults and cognitive degradations becomes harder. Making decisions becomes harder. And desire to remain autonomous becomes stronger. Those things don’t jive too well.

One more thing to add: maintain a community of similarly-aged peers. Otherwise, one might feel like they are on an island.

This is based on my experience caring for an elderly family member.

They might miss out on the convenience of AirPlay, though. AFAIK you cant do DLNA streaming to the Apple TV.

AirPlay really bridges the gaps for me, wrt having any app available on my tv at any time.

Combined with steam connect, it’s a decent multi use box with solid, non-intrusive updates. Just wish the garden wasn’t so unnecessarily walled.

Same reason a remote control is handy for a TV — convenience.

Motion or presence sensing. Timers. Virtual buttons. Physical buttons in places I wouldn’t normally have them. Garage door opening automagically when I pull in the driveway with a specific vehicle. Etc.

Plus I get to check in on my kitty from far away.

Well, yeah, I did say everything ;-)

Everything in moderation.

You ever suck dick for nicotine?

Imagine it? Living it.

It’s these types of moves that get me workin’ my way out of an ecosystem. I’ve already been strongly considering not-a-Mac as my next laptop.

It was always weird when I’d add WordArt and it had an extra finger in it.

Had a few ideas for ya:

2 coins

A fake AirTag

A couple pieces of chiclets gum

Coiled wire or string

Fresh air (or a fart), in a tiny ziploc bag

A tiny hair doll

Two very tiny hair dolls

Let me know if you need any more!

Don’t forget that sunscreen can be expensive depending on your destination. Going to a family or friends house and the beach? NBD. Flying to Cancun and into a resort? That on prem sunscreen is gonna cost ya mucho dinero compared to BYO.

To add, logic unfortunately doesn’t really help illogical fears.