Does it necessarily need to be the tools of your specific job? You might not use the deep fryer in the execution of your personal duties, but it is at your job and, I imagine, could have an impact if you could get your opponent to it. (Perhaps even combining it with your previously mentioned strategy.)

That’s how I would have interpreted it, as well, but I’ve seen it used in situations where that didn’t seem fitting so I asked.

For me, it’s specifically the HP printer my wife has. It has one of those subscription models where you pay per page (or per some unit, I forget) and you can’t use it without an account and an internet connection.

I bought a Brother that offers but does not mandate a subscription and tried to get her to use it, but she is convinced the awful disgusting subscription model is easier.

Every time I see it it makes me a little sad and a little mad, but I had her put it on my network that has guest isolation, so it can’t touch or spy on any of my other devices and only impacts her.

(My feelings about it aren’t quite that strong in reality, but this is a thread about appliance beef. If her printer weren’t isolated, I might actually feel pretty strongly about it.)

My co-workers tell me it’s either “that’s interesting,” i.e. it drew their attention; or just that they’re looking at something. For example, if I provide a link to a ticket, they’re indicating that they received the link and have clicked or will click it to look at it.

I have also seen one person use it like the Michael Jackson eating popcorn gif when using a messenger that did not support embedded images.

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Leaving off with an ellipsis makes it look like I should click your comment to continue reading.

That’s an excellent series by a pretty fun author. There’s an older example that I once read, but at the moment all I can remember is that the spells are calibrated to the exact physical state of the world at the time of casting (like that one xkcd comic). As a result, the protagonist foils enemy spells by doing things like causing worms to shift in the dirt or rocks to fall over.

Though the system doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny, I enjoyed the book. Hopefully someone remembers the premise and can tell me the title.

If you liked Magic 2.0, you would almost certainly enjoy the older YA series WebMage.

edit: Corrected auto correct.

Despite its appearance, I would recommend being cautious about watching it with a young kid. There are a lot of episodes with scary imagery and such (one of the very early episodes - actually in the anti canon seasons, I think - is about the zombification of the entire population of the world). This continues throughout the show’s entire run, but also existential horror becomes a running theme (especially in the episodes I mentioned for introducing people to the show, which is why I love them so much).

It can definitely be a good show to share with your progeny and there are lots of safe episodes. I’m looking forward to watching it with my kid, but that said, make sure you vet episodes or at least read the description before watching them together. Obviously, this depends on the individual and you’ll need to make your own judgement call about them.

Probably don’t watch this episode with your kid until they’re older:

edit: Edit removed because I tried a few approaches to hide spoilers and none of them worked in my client.

Well … Kind of. Due to the aforementioned anti-canon nature, they don’t add much to the story, but they do familiarize you with the characters and universe. I think they’re both worth watching at least once, but whether or not doing so should be on your first viewing probably depends on the watcher. Usually, when I introduce a friend to it, I show them one of two particular really good episodes that don’t require much context, then let the friend kind of direct their own viewing experience. Some people want to witness the entire run, whereas some prefer only the episodes that are closer to what they’d enjoy. (I do skip the “Grayble” episodes, personally.)

If you’re considering giving Adventure Time a go and would like a viewing partner, let me know! I love seeing people be exposed to it for the first time.

And for what it’s worth, others may disagree, but the introductory episodes I usually show my friends are Egress, Puhoy, and maybe Dungeon Train. They are all episodes that are very much enhanced by context, but don’t require it to intrigue (IMO; again, others may very justifiably disagree). I have, however, created a lot of fans with that lineup.

edit: I think skipping the first two seasons wouldn’t diminish your appreciation of the show, but if you do skip them, I think you should go back and watch them later. Probably only once, though.

Adventure Time for me. The first two, IIRC, seasons are explicitly “anti canon” per the creator and drove me away as a result. At a friend’s insistence, I persisted until season three and it ended up being among my favorite shows, it just kept getting better and better.

I misread that as “self-loathing” and the answer was obvious.

But what temperature?!

FWIW, my reference was to H2G2 and the Heart of Gold.

If a highly improbable spaceship had to dedicate all of its processing power to making a cup of tea, I suppose I can forgive an end user for having to think about it.

Was it that long ago? Wow.

Indeed, it is always wise to be a hoopy frood.

I far prefer it when someone refers to themselves as the parent of a pet over when someone refers to the pet as a kid.

Ideally neither, but one is less off-putting than the other, IMHO.

… g?

That occurred to me while writing my comment, as well, and I don’t like the implications.

I would imagine they have to ask you, yes. If the toilet can be flushed without authentication, they’d probably still have to ask you how.

I have no interest in one, but playing devil’s advocate, some might consider it more sanitary since you don’t have to touch the toilet to flush and have the choice of not being near it, hopefully avoiding any spray.

Also, if your guests use the restroom, you can startle them at any time.

Now it’s out forever.