Supporting Former Users of Reddit on Dreamwidth

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert.


Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 2: Architecture

Architecture is the art of designing and building structures, such as houses, offices, churches, or skyscrapers. It goes back only a little less far than humanity does. People have always needed shelters and event spaces, and started making their own rather early on. Here on Dreamwidth, check out farmhouseprints, flaneurs, photographic_i, and urban_photos.




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People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

What would be different if the 9/11 terrorist attack never occurred?


We would have a lot more freedom, privacy, and civil rights. I might still be willing to use airports.

The terrorists may have missed the White House, but they scored a direct hit on the American way of life. It's among the most effective terrorist attacks in recorded history, and it's still working.

Scientists just discovered Africa is closer to breaking apart than we thought

East Africa may be cracking open—and the same forces tearing it apart could be why we have such a vivid record of human origins.

Beneath East Africa’s Turkana Rift, scientists have found the crust is thinning to a critical point, suggesting the continent is gradually breaking apart. This “necking” process marks an advanced stage of rifting that could eventually lead to a new ocean forming millions of years from now. Surprisingly, the same geological forces that are splitting the land may also explain why the region holds such a rich fossil record. Instead of being the birthplace of humanity, Turkana may just be where the story was best preserved.


... or the rift could rip open suddenly and unexpectedly quite a bit sooner. Say, if some other part of the crust made a massive shift to release pressure. I wouldn't want to live or work near there. It's fascinating to watch from a safe distance though.

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 2: Architecture.


Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert

Previously I posted about "How to Get Good at Anything." That touched on "The 3 Book Rule to Become An Expert." The premise is that, if you have read just three books on a subject, you know more about it than the general level of knowledge. You don't know as much as a professional should, but you know enough to answer about 80% of questions on the matter. This is enough to be useful to most people regarding most issues in that area. The really complicated or difficult stuff can be left to the professional level of experts. Here on Dreamwidth, check out the Books communities and datahoarders.




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Today we went to the Spring Fest in Charleston. It was drizzling, but not enough to discourage us.

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Today's theme is Metal.


addme_fandom  -- Addme Fandom
Find friends who share your fannish obsessions.
[Active with multiple posts in April.]

beautifulmechanical  -- Beautiful Mechanical
Do you love music? We do, too.
[Active with multiple posts in April.]

creativity  -- Make It, Build It, Dream It. Creativity.
Sharing creative projects and ideas.
[Somewhat active with last post in June 2025.]

onesongaday  -- One Song A Day
Do you love music? So come share, listen & enjoy.
[Active with multiple posts in April.]

vkotd  -- V系お勧め
A community for sharing songs by flamboyant Japanese rock/metal bands.
[Active with multiple posts in April.]

scabrous (SKAB-ruhs) - adj., covered with scales or scabs; hence, very coarse or rough; hence, disgusting, repellent; hence, dealing with suggestive, indecent, or scandalous themes; difficult, thorny, troublesome.


In botany, this lacks the negative connotations, and it is used heavily to describe things as diverse as tree bark, fruit, and squashes.

Today is sunny and hot, with fluffy white clouds in the sky.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I took some pictures around the yard.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I refilled potting soil into the hollow logs at the front of the log garden.  Then I planted a 4-pack of white impatiens in the holes.  

I put the flats of plants outside to get some sun.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a male cardinal.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I watered the impatiens and flats of plants.

I've seen a starling at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I potted up four green sweet basil plants and one purple ruffles basil, then watered them.

I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- We hauled the new bag of grass seed out of the car.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I sowed grass seed in the big bare patch at the west edge of the south lot.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- We hauled out the tape hose and the new sprinkler head.  There is not enough hose to reach the grass patch, and with the low water pressure that we have, the spray only covers about 6 feet wide.  *sigh*

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I planted a small trough pot with orange mint, mojito mint, and apple mint.  There is room for one more mint there.

EDIT 4/23/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I watered the grass patch using the watering can.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
 

This year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...

* Commented on "Gratitude Journaling" in journalsandplanners.

* Commented on "just create - beard edition" in justcreate.

* Posted "Books" to lgbtqiapluswriters.

* Commented on "Just One Thing" in awesomeers.

* Posted "Birdfeeding" in birdfeeding.

Here are the character notes for "No Faster or Firmer Friendships."

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