yt music > spotify

browsing category: (shitty) opinions

yt music > spotify

posted on July 6, 2024

ive started using streaming services pretty recently, about two years ago. i’ve always liked the idea of a local music library, since it’s always there, and it’s… free.

the first one I tried was spotify; at the time yt music wasn’t really a thing. i didn’t have any complaints; it worked fine, and it had a seemingly endless catalog.

around 2023, when youtube started cracking down on advertisers, i decided to try youtube premium for a month (yeah, i know, im a piece of shit) and since youtube music was bundled with it, i also gave it a try.

since then i cancelled my spotify sub, since yt music seems like the obvious winner. here’s the basic logic behind my personal decision:

yt music has a vastly superior catalog of music i care about (slowed+reverb; many anime OST; obscure music) that spotify does NOT have
yt music also has ad-free youtube, on desktop and mobile.
the two are fairly comparable with anything else (audio quality, ui/ux, pricing)
result: yt music is the better value compared to spotify

this logic is kind of a zero-sum game, since i don’t wanna pay for both subs.

as for both companies, i loathe both google and spotify, but i probably hate google way more. it’s just.. the stereotypical evil multinational org, unironically. and they definitely don’t care about their customers.

spotify seems rather more customer-friendly, but also fucks over the artists a lot.

audio quality

tl;dr: i dont care.

for listening I usually use a pair of sennheiser hd560s, which from an audiophile pov they’re probably kinda shitty. overall I don’t give a damn about audio quality unless it’s extremely bad. from superficial analysis both services seen to have the same perceivable audio quality.

library

tl;dr: youtube wins. not even a fair contest.

i mean, it’s not a fair comparison when youtube music can access the entire youtube catalog.

yt music has all kinds of user made versions (e.g. slowed+reverb, etc)
yt music has heaps of shit, especially obscure or non-official releases (it pulls from youtube, duh)

ui/ux

tl;dr: spotify wins.

the webpage (so, for desktop) for yt music is absolutely garbage. it looks bad, feels bad, and lacks many features the mobile app has (e.g. interactive lyrics)

the mobile yt music app (android) is pretty good. it feels good, has good features, and looks good. it integrates with many nice android features, like being able to like/navigate via the drawer. would use again.

the spotify desktop and mobile experience are both really good. it just feels… better to use. youtube lags extremely behind them.

pricing

tl;dr: youtube premium is the better value, but is more expensive.

as of today, yt music is bundled with yt premium. which means you also get no ads on youtube, which is a plus if you use it a lot. sure, you can get ublock on desktop and revanced on mobile, but… it kinda sucks when it stops working. which, it did several times on both platforms, and i HATE being locked out.

here’s the current pricing as of jul 6 ’24 in italy. i’m single and live alone, so cant use the duo/family bundles.

yt premium: 11.99€
- they’ll raise prices in the near future, question is when.
spotify premium: 10.99€
- spotify will very often offer you 3 months for the price of 1 when you unsub; youtube never does that.

thank you for coming to my ted-talk.

break the spaghetti

posted on July 6, 2024

okay, i swear this aint supposed to be a controversial topic, but what the fuck.

what’s with the annoying meme that somehow breaking spaghetti (or any other type of long dried pasta for that matter) is a major sin? i know and agree that most of it is just the “haha stereotype” kind of thing, but it’s so overplayed it’s annoying.

this is only about dry, long pasta. obviously i wouldnt think about cutting long, fresh pasta.

first of all, it’ll taste the same. maybe it’ll roll in a different way on the fork because they’re shorter. but, it LITERALLY does not matter except for a few situations during cooking:

you have a small pot.
you want to use less water in the pot (save the planet and all that jazz. i swear my grandma always boils like 1.5 liters of water for 200g of pasta)

i’ve even seen people saying that if it’s longer, it “holds” the sauce better (e.g. tomato sauce), but that just seems like bs.

i would say the only valid objection is that if you don’t know how to break them properly, you’ll probably fill your room with small pieces of pasta since usually they break off in 3 parts and fly off into the ether.

i think all the “scientific” arguments i’ve seen are pure copium. shit about starch release, structural integrity… dude, just gimme a fucking break. it’s pasta, who gives a crap. not enough of a crap to embark on a crusade against the way some people make food, rofl.

how i defeated shyness

posted on June 27, 2024

growing up, i was an extremely insecure and shy person. growing up, i’m only insecure (rofl)

one of the main realizations that helped me get rid of that shyness (i can’t really say that it was a good or a bad thing; i guess it just happened) was (1) realizing the transience of life and taking it to HEART and (2) realizing that people, in social settings, sometimes simply want company.

that company you will appreciate much more as you get older and lonelier. when you’re young (e.g. high school) you’ll take it for granted and barely appreciate. i, myself, thought of social interactions as a complete nuisance and avoided them at all costs during high school.

nowadays, i don’t exactly PURSUE social interactions, but i also like to appreciate the little moments i have with my (small) group of friends when we play games every once in a while. it’s the little things.

as for (1), when you’re young, or for even longer for some people, we like to think of ourselves as perennial. it’s actually a scientifically documented fact that most people understand death only as something that happens to other people, especially when they’re young.

internalizing the brevity of life was the main thing that got rid of my shyness. my shyness was related to insecurity and not being up to the task of being able to socialize or appearing outwardly competent. like.. “wow, if i speak up and stutter, they’re gonna think X of me…” which was a self-defeating feedback loop of being insecure AND being more shy, which didn’t help me grow social skills.

if i think that at the end of the day, we’re all humans on this earth, and on 40/50/60 years we won’t be here anymore, all the reservedness explodes away. i want other people to hear what i’m saying; for it will ultimately not matter that much either way. i want other people to acknowledge me for small things that i do; even if they might have a positive or negative reaction; for it will ultimately not matter that much either way.

and, speaking of groups of friends, getting older along them is a… weird experience. different people experience aging in different ways, change their life in unexpected ways, or cope with things in different manners. those can be hard to understand for loose groups of friends like the ones i have (internet friends; the kind that plays games on discord. but with some we’ve know each other for nearly 10 years! that’s a large slice of the pie when you’re only ~30)

culture = biology

posted on June 26, 2024

i’ve never been fully satisfied with the explanations that many modern theories give about how biological sex and culture mesh and interact with each other.

this post is a mix of observations, personal experiences, and reading on evolutionary psychology. as such, those are my OWN opinions, and they can be wrong. just… LET ME COOK, OKAY?

i will start by listing some baseline opinions:

sex (and gender, for that matter) is an incredibly complex topic, especially when you start looking at biology, anatomy, etc.
males and females, ON AVERAGE, have such different (evolutionary) roles that they might as well be considered different species.
- this does invalidate the fact that individuals from both sexes can fall outside of those boundaries.
- this is a result of evolution, i don’t see it as a morally good or bad thing; it just is.
- it’s not clickbait, fuck off. i really believe that.
the differences between sexes arise MOSTLY due to evolution and survival, and NOT principally due to modern culture. tho, modern culture/society does indeed play a smaller part.
- the way i see it, evolution shapes modern society more than modern society shapes evolution (duh, hope it makes sense tho.)

wtf is sex anyways?

all biological processes stem from the need to replicate genes. when genes copy, mistakes can happen. even though there are repair mechanisms, errors still occur and build up over time. these errors can make organisms non-viable, infertile, or impaired, leading to death eventually. because of this, reproduction is essential in biology. survival isn’t the main goal; reproduction is.

WHAT ARE WAYS TO OPTIMIZE REPRODUCTION?

sex helps deal with gene replication errors. instead of cloning genes, sex involves combining half the genes from two individuals, mixing them up. this process, called recombination, can help distribute harmful mutations more evenly, but it doesn’t solve the problem entirely. the key to the success of sex is having two different mating types, which helps in getting rid of bad genes more effectively than recombination alone.

by designating half of the individuals to focus on reproduction, like conceiving fertilized eggs, gestating, giving birth, and nurturing offspring to adulthood, these individuals (females) can avoid dealing with the accumulation of gene replication errors. instead, this task is given to the other half (males). this is the main reason males exist. even though only a small proportion of males are needed to impregnate all females, males still make up about half the population. females don’t typically exceed 50% of the population. having a roughly equal number of males and females is an evolutionarily stable balance.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND EVOLUTION AS A MISSION TO INCREASE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY AND MINIMIZING INVESTMENT/RISK.

the task of addressing the main problem in biological systems is essentially assigned to the male side of the lineage. unlike females, males a greater responsibility on exposing their genes to natural selection. males that show some kind of weakness or lack of prowess, due to having sub-optimal, below-average, or inferior genes, are identified and eliminated.

there much more natural and sexual selection acting on males. we now know that mammals show more genetic variation from the father. for example, if a harmful mutation is inherited from the mother, it won’t be expressed as strongly as it would be if inherited from the father. this means there is much more selection pressure on male-derived genetic material, by design.

the empathy gap and how it relates to reproduction

females employ rigorous selection criteria when choosing mates (genetic/selective filter)

this means that males are subject to intense scrutiny, with only those displaying desirable traits deemed suitable for reproduction. this is also due to the investment required for offspring, which after reproduction, mainly fall on females (parental investment theory)

the biological imperative to use the ‘genetic filter’ function means that all males are assessed and considered unworthy unless proven otherwise.

from a biological perspective, males compete for sexual access. this fosters traits such as aggression and risk-taking, which are advantageous for reproductive success BUT also contribute to higher variability in male success rates.

[!] within our system, most males are losers to a greater or lesser degree, with only a small minority being particularly successful.

in contrast, women would need to behave extremely badly to receive disapproval from males; otherwise, they are well-regarded. from as young as five years old, both boys and girls have more positive attitudes towards females. this positive view remains stable for girls and becomes even stronger for boys as they grow into adulthood.

why competition matters in reproduction

competition is a naturally occurring behavior in males that is deeply related to (1) reproduction and (2) the male hierarchy.

males are naturally more competitive than females. this isn’t just about culture; it’s deeply rooted in biology. from an early age, boys are driven to compete with each other. this helps them establish dominance and improve their social standing. winning is very rewarding for males, and even losing can push them to try harder or find new areas to compete in. for guys, competition is in their nature.

this intense drive to compete means that males often end up at both extremes of performance – they can be either the top achievers or the ones who struggle the most. this isn’t just seen in sports or games but in many aspects of life. men thrive on challenging each other, and this helps them improve and stand out.

even when males lose, they are often motivated to switch gears and find a new way to win. this can make them seem flaky, but it’s actually a smart strategy. they focus their efforts on where they have the best chance to succeed. this risk-taking behavior has big pay-offs because the top males can have a lot of success in passing on their genes.

in contrast, females tend to back away from competition. they might not enjoy it as much, and winning doesn’t motivate them in the same way. this isn’t a flaw but a different strategy that has worked for them evolutionarily. women often focus on cooperation and social bonds, which are just as important for survival and success.

prominent ways in which males and females behave differently

1. social groups

both sexes gravitate towards different forms of social groups. men form large, hierarchical groups to compete for status and resources. women form smaller, more intimate groups to support each other, ESPECIALLY when raising children. these patterns are seen across many cultures, suggesting a biological basis rather than just social influence.

2. stress and aggression

another big point is how men and women respond to stress and conflict. men are more likely to react to stress with aggression and competition because this helped them in evolutionary terms to fight off rivals. women tend to seek social support and cooperation because these behaviors helped them protect and nurture their offspring. these responses are hardwired and not just taught by society

3. mate selection

women evolved to choose mates who could provide good genes and protection. this led to men developing traits that make them more competitive and dominant. it’s not just that society teaches men to be aggressive; it’s that women historically chose partners who were strong and able to protect them and their children.

4. evolutionary roles

men and women evolved to have different roles to help the survival of the species. men often competed with each other for mates, which made them more aggressive and competitive. women, on the other hand, had to care for children, which made them more nurturing and cooperative. these roles weren’t purely chosen by society.

5. role of hormones

hormones like testosterone and estrogen play a crucial role in shaping behaviors. testosterone, which is higher in men, is linked to aggression, competitiveness, and risk-taking behaviors. estrogen, higher in women, is associated with nurturing and social bonding. these hormonal influences are deeply rooted in biology, affecting behavior from a very young age and across different cultures.

6. developmental differences

boys and girls show different developmental trajectories. boys tend to develop spatial and physical skills faster, while girls often develop verbal and social skills earlier. these differences are seen universally and suggest a biological basis rather than being purely the result of socialization.

7. stress coping mechanisms

men and women have evolved different mechanisms for coping with stress. men are more likely to exhibit the “fight or flight” response, which is linked to their historical roles in hunting and defense. women are more inclined to the “tend and befriend” response, fostering social bonds to cope with stress, which aligns with their roles in child-rearing and community building.

8. mate preferences

men and women have evolved different preferences in mates. men often prioritize physical attractiveness and youth, indicators of fertility, while women prioritize resources and status, indicators of the ability to provide and protect. these preferences are seen across cultures and are driven by biological imperatives rather than purely social constructs.

9. reproductive strategies

men can enhance their reproductive success by mating with multiple partners, while women, having a limited number of eggs and longer gestation periods, benefit more from selecting high-quality mates and ensuring their offspring’s survival. these strategies are deeply rooted in biology and shape behaviors in significant ways

and here’s why all of that is actually good (just hear me out)

if you’ve actually read all of the garbage above (i seriously applaud you), it’s mayhaps time for the actual good part of my thesis.

so far i’ve tried to, objectively, list differences in the sexes and WHY they exist (cough cough evolution)
in short, those differences are actually a good thing and when you combine both sides of the puzzle, something beautiful happens.

1. social harmony

as said above, men and women naturally form different kinds of social networks, which when melded together, create a strong, supportive community. men’s larger, looser networks are good for gathering information and resources, while women’s close-knit groups provide emotional support and stability. these networks support each other and contribute to a healthier society.

2. parenting

children benefit from having both a mother and a father because they receive a mix of care and guidance. mothers often provide emotional support and nurturing, while fathers can offer discipline and encouragement to take risks. this combination helps children grow into well-rounded individuals.

3. complementary strengths

men and women have different strengths that balance each other out. men’s physical strength and competitive nature can be crucial for protection and building resources. women’s nurturing and cooperative skills are essential for caring for children and maintaining social bonds. together, these strengths create a balanced and resilient community.

a final note

now that i’ve let that out of my system, i’d like to add a few, final remarks.

even if i deeply believe that both sexes are fundamentally different (with nuances in-between), we STILL have to (1) work together with respect and care for each other and (2) see people as individuals that happen to be born a specific sex.

what if constant pleasure wasn’t the goal

posted on June 21, 2024

let’s hypothetically think you have the perfect life (e.g. a million dollar a month, 100% free time)

while i haven’t experienced it myself, i’ve come to experience neet-dom aka 100% free time and i can self assuredly say that it absolutely SUCKS even without monetary pressure.

i’m a fairly routine-based person, which means I don’t especially like to try new things. I have a set of “fun” stuff I can do during the day, based on personal whims and how I’m feeling in that specific moment, but it’s all pretty same-y (assuming no external factors)

you slowly build tolerance towards those “fun” things and the pleasure returns on time investment get lower and lower, sometimes so intolerably low that some shit just isn’t fun anymore.

so im wondering if in that hypothetical situation i’d force myself to do non-fun shit so that I can enjoy the “fun” moments even more, in moderation.

is culturally aware value worth anything?

posted on June 20, 2024

if we assume every human is born without accrued value, just in virtue of being a new life (a blank slate), WHY THE FUCK do we harp (innately) so HARD on pursuing value when that SSHIT IS fucking meaningless at the end of the day?

I’m talking about value from an egotistical standpoint. Not just monetary, even if simple logic would follow that higher status/value people will have a significantly easier time taking money.

I’m talking about value as in adoration, respect, and/or empathy from peers. That seems to be a relatively FUCKING hard trio to obtain, especially if you’re not the top of whatever characteristic you’re trying to maximize to level up.

The reason I’m mentioning this is because certain people (like myself) CARE A FUCKTON about what other people think of them. Maybe it’s egoism. Maybe it’s narcissism? Maybe both? But it FUCKING sucks knowing you might have been dealt the wrong cards AND THERE’S FUCKING NOTHING you can do to fix that shit. There’s immutable characteristics, be it physical or mental, that are insurmountable barriers to entry.

Yeah, I’m salty. Yeah, I’m a fucking piece of shit. Yeah, I’m a lowlife.