Maybe not more messy, but messy in a way that is particular and interesting to explore.
I use Linux currently and have for many years. It is a wonderful operating system. However, if you wish to switch to Linux, it is in your best interest to understand that enthusiasts will oversell whatever they love, and they will do so without even noticing it.
Gaming on Linux is impressive and it's getting better every day, but it is still not the same as Windows.
Depending on the games you wish to play, you may feel frustrated at times. Also, barely any peripherals have official Linux support on a software level. I'm talking about fancy keyboards, mice, gamepads, cameras, microphones, headphones, and all kinds of RGB contraptions.
If something doesn't work, the next recommended steps can range from installing a complicated third-party interface to essentially programming your own. If I read the word "kernel" as part of a solution, chances are that I'm just buying something else instead.
People also forget that even supported games sometimes malfunction, and all tips and fixes will assume you're running Windows. Besides, not every game is on Steam, and even when they are, some may require the use of external software to install and manage mods. So using Linux for games is awesome, but significantly less so if you are not an advanced user and want more than the defaults for your games.
When it comes to work, you might find yourself restricted to LibreOffice or Microsoft Office Online. It is possible to run Office via Wine, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea (more on that here). A bit off-topic, but I've been trying to purchase a legit license for local Microsoft Office and I don't think they even sell it anymore. They're completely focused on the cloud version.
I have a habit of checking out reviews on Goodreads. I don't take it too seriously, but the UI is less busy than Amazon and reviews are often a little more chaotic, random, and personal. I like that. I use it to track the books I read, which aren't many but it's simple enough. From my own sample, Goodreads rarely form my decision on which books to buy, but it's up there in my mental algorithm mixed with a bunch of other stuff.
Copy pasting entire articles is discouraged. It is preferable to share a link to an archive website such as this: https://archive.is/5UPAI
Guys, thank you so much for all the great ideas. Given that everyone made a big effort to help me, I'm a bit embarrassed to report that it looks like it went away? I tried rebooting before and that didn't help. I rebooted a second time for an unrelated reason and that "fixed" it. I have no idea why. I feel like an idiot now. I will report if it comes back, but, for now, I think that was solved.
Thanks!
I wrote this autobiographical essay about some of my difficulties with sensitive online discussions.
Sorry, I forgot top add a negative. It should read as "I ran a Windows Defender scan and nothing showed up.".
Decades ago I couldn't stop thinking about suicide. It was persistent throughout many months. Then my doctor gave me lithium. I took it in the morning. By late afternoon I no longer wanted to die.
It's not perfect. I had many crisis since then. I have a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist. Nothing I did or took since then was nearly as efficient as an old cheap medicine called lithium. I still take it everyday.
So I guess my answer is "I don't really deal with those thoughts". I don't engage. I treat them. What's the point of arguing with a disease? If I had cancer, would I get chemo or just think about it very hard?
In my experience pure reasoning doesn't really work in that situation. People seek conspiracy theories to acquire a sense of order, predictability, and self worth. You're special because you're part of the special group that knows the true shape of the world. Ultimately, they seek love and validation, and the most effective intervention must start simply by providing them with those things they lack.
I followed closely a friend with schizophrenia and that helps me understand certain behaviors. Confronting them directly is usually pointless. I only wanted to be a good friend and show my care and affection for him. I did suggest him ways to improve but I backed away at any sign of resistance. You don't wanna counter him at every step, but only when they show an openness to listen. I mean, if you wanted to tear down a wall, you wouldn't start by hitting where it's stronger, right? You would probably look for the weak spots. If and when your friend let their guard down, then you can gently intervene. Other than that, just show them love, and have the patience to understand that they'll only change in their own time. If ever.
One one hand, sure, this seems like a waste of time. On the other, I did get paid to get a masters in literature. So I don't think I'm in a position to judge :P
Although I still have Feedly on my phone, and open it occasionally, RSS readers are not as useful as they used to be. That is not due to the way RSS inherently works, but in the past 15 years, websites no longer make their entire articles available on the feed. What you usually get is a small excerpt with a link to the website. They do that because RSS does not allow for the same level of engagement and advertising they would have on their website. As it is, RSS readers are, technically, link aggregators. Which makes them much less convenient.
That was a a fairly short article reporting on another article. The title gives the impression that the assertion was made with certainty when the actual quote makes it clear that this was meant as speculation, a calculated guess made on a conversation that was not meant to be public. I truly have no inclination to defend corporate leadership, but perhaps it would be more productive to direct our sentiments towards the article that is being quoted instead.