So I joined Nextdoor last night

[Charmonium]

You'd be surprised, I spent about an hour talking my SIL through how antennae's work for TVs (despite the fact she should remember from growing up in the 80's) and my BIL tore a 7" gash in his arm trying to install a window AC unit.

Some people are just bad at some things, that includes flipping switches and plugging things in.

Something I realized recently is that it takes a fair amount of foresight to do even relatively simple things like change a lock, install an a/c, install a switch, etc. You have to understand if you're going to need tools and which ones (most people don't even have real tools), you have to be able see each incremental step in the process and realize what could wrong so you can avoid any problems, etc.

Granted that in most cases it's not a big deal if it's something you've already done. Even if you haven't, just by virtue of fixing and installing other things you have some general idea. But most people don't.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Something I realized recently is that it takes a fair amount of foresight to do even relatively simple things like change a lock, install an a/c, install a switch, etc. You have to understand if you're going to need tools and which ones (most people don't even have real tools), you have to be able see each incremental step in the process and realize what could wrong so you can avoid any problems, etc.

Granted that in most cases it's not a big deal if it's something you've already done. Even if you haven't, just by virtue of fixing and installing other things you have some general idea. But most people don't.

Unfortunately, being mechanically inclined is a thing of the past. As a kid, I used to take apart everything, radio, toaster, tv, furniture... Now, we live in a replace rather than repair society and form doesn't often follow function. The result is yoots who have little idea how things work.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I've lived in the same place for going on 20 years and only really know 1 set of neighbors names. I'm completely fine with that.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've lived in the same place for going on 20 years and only really know 1 set of neighbors names. I'm completely fine with that.

I can't imagine living in such a fragile and delicate ecosystem. You're one natural or manmade disaster away from total isolation and being lost without notice.

 

[Chaotic42]

I've lived in the same place for going on 20 years and only really know 1 set of neighbors names. I'm completely fine with that.

My goal is to move out of my new house in the 2040s without having spoken to any of my neighbors. Six months in, so far so good. I'm somewhat tempted to sign up for NextDoor, but it seems like they want a lot of info and I'm not sure I trust them.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I can't imagine living in such a fragile and delicate ecosystem. You're one natural or manmade disaster away from total isolation and being lost without notice.

I would say get off your phone the world will survive without your 10 minute poop updates, but I'm pretty sure you're older than me.

 

[ImpulsE69]

My goal is to move out of my new house in the 2040s without having spoken to any of my neighbors. Six months in, so far so good. I'm somewhat tempted to sign up for NextDoor, but it seems like they want a lot of info and I'm not sure I trust them.

The reviews I've seen is that it's no different than any other social media app. Biased by who's in charge, and really just there to push ads.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I would say get off your phone the world will survive without your 10 minute poop updates, but I'm pretty sure you're older than me.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[Exterous]

Something I realized recently is that it takes a fair amount of foresight to do even relatively simple things like change a lock, install an a/c, install a switch, etc. You have to understand if you're going to need tools and which ones (most people don't even have real tools), you have to be able see each incremental step in the process and realize what could wrong so you can avoid any problems, etc.

Granted that in most cases it's not a big deal if it's something you've already done. Even if you haven't, just by virtue of fixing and installing other things you have some general idea. But most people don't.

Eh. I figured out a lot of things by trial and error and made due with tools that weren't the best fit for the job. Not to mention the frequent trips back to Home Depot. But yeah a lot of people have shit for tools available and aren't interested in the effort of learning

 

[Exterous]

Oh and Youtube is a thing for great How Tos on your basic home improvement needs

Wow, Your neighbors are retarded.

I don't disagree

 

[snoopy7548]

Yeah, I see the same thing in my neighborhood's Facebook group, this group being the only reason why I still have a Facebook account. It's useful if you need recommendations for a plumber or something, but most of the time it's just stupid stuff especially if you're the only single person on the block and don't have kids. "Could people please not use any pesticides in case one of our kids happens to play on your lawn? Here is a list of all harmful products to avoid, along with an article. Thanks." I get it, but still...

 

[Muse]

I'd never heard of Nextdoor until 3 days ago when I got a letter in the mail inviting me to join at their website using a code. I signed up, filled out the weird long questionaire and am now getting quite a few emails from them concerning one concern or another. I haven't done anything with them, wonder if I shouldn't create a special folder in my email client for them. I have too much stuff in my Inbox already.

 

[Muse]

meh, I don't blame them necessarily.

I accidentally busted the trim of my door and I'm in all honesty too lazy to think I can do it myself. The older I get and the more money I make (through more work hours as well) the more I'm willing to just say "fuck it I'll pay someone to fix it"

I'm not there yet, I still fix all my problems myself, almost entirely. Not sure I want to adopt the attitude of throwing money at my problems, no matter how much I have.

A favorite entry in a favorite book of mine, Zen Flesh Zen Bones:

Zen Flesh Zen Bones
- - - -
#77 No Attachment to Dust (page 87)

Zengetsu, a Chinese master of the T'ang dynasty, wrote the following advice for his pupils:

Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen student.

When witnessing the good action of another, encourage yourself to follow his example. Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to commit that error.

Even though alone in a dark, room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature.

Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life.

A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may only be guarding his wisdom carefully.

Virtues are the fruit of self-discipline and do not drop from heaven of themselves as does rain or snow.

Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your neighbors discover you before you make yourself known to them.

A noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are as rare gems, seldom displayed and of great value.

To a sincere student, every day is a fortunate day. Time passes but he never lags behind. Neither glory nor shame can move him.

Censure yourself, never another. Do not discuss right and wrong.

Some things, though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centures, there is no need to crave an immediate appreciation.

Live with cause and leave results to the great law of the universe. Pass each day in peaceful contemplation.

 

[Muse]

Having authorized users on my credit card who are fictitious helps immensely with that.

How so? You use one of those fictitious names when making purchases?

 

[nakedfrog]

I'm not there yet, I still fix all my problems myself, almost entirely. Not sure I want to adopt the attitude of throwing money at my problems, no matter how much I have.

Time is a much more finite resource than money. Money is only good for spending, time is good for living. If fixing the things yourself provides enjoyment, that's fine. But if it's going to be particularly unpleasant and time consuming, it makes sense to spend the money and use that time in other ways if you can afford it.

 

[Muse]

Time is a much more finite resource than money. Money is only good for spending, time is good for living. If fixing the things yourself provides enjoyment, that's fine. But if it's going to be particularly unpleasant and time consuming, it makes sense to spend the money and use that time in other ways if you can afford it.

I won't argue with that, but I don't want to go lame, as the expression goes. And there's something great about DIY, your life's circumstances reflect your true nature better than if you let others do those things for you. I could have a landscape architect design my garden, a gardener maintain it, but it would feel like someone else's garden to some degree.

 

[kn51]

I like one of my yesterday's messages. "Cheap electrician needed."

Yeah...good luck with that.

But for the most part people asking for tree trimming, replacing a garage door (big type stuff) is nice because without it I maybe wouldn't have found these contractors that do great work at a great price.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I can understand paying someone to paint a room, but the other two seem absurdly simple.

This.

I’m actually pretty good at painting but I HATE doing it. I’d pay someone to do it for me because chances are, they’re better at it than I am and much faster.

 

[spacejamz]

my favorite Nextdoor story....

some neighbor wanted quotes to replace some sprinkler heads. I told them it is a 10 minute job tops for each one...I even linked a rainbird how to video basicially telling them to unscrew the existing one, take it to home depot/lowes/etc, get the same height/pattern as the original one and then screw back it in, just being careful not to get dirt into the hole. Turn it on and align the head so it sprays the right way. A few days later, I was askig some of the people who replied they could do it how much they charging and none of them every responded...

 

[paperfist]

This sounds like something George Zimmerman would love...

I’m not sure I’d want to join to hear what the neighbors think.

 

[Spg1]

I would not mind checking it out to see what is going on, but I am interested enough to sign up and give phone/address info.

 

[Staples]

Painting isn't always an easy job. If the wall are peeling or they are painting dark colors, it can be laborious.