I won’t go into the reasons why you’re doing that. Instead, I’ll just focus on your plans, because I don’t think a gradual change of accent will go unnoticed. Just do it. Embrace the American accent you love so much and live it to the fullest. And if anyone asks you what happened, just say you’re tired of your own accent and are trying something new. Explain it clearly to others and own up to it. This will make you feel good because you’re being honest by telling others why you have decided to change.

However, you should bear in mind that a language is much more than just an accent. It also includes people’s choice of words and idioms and expresses the way they see the world. It would be strange if I decided to speak Brazilian Portuguese with a Portuguese accent (from Portugal). Those who know me would be confused because this “Portuguese character” in me speaks the local language perfectly with the wrong accent. How come?

You have summed up so well the main motivators that underlie any written text - from poems to corporate yearbooks to online SEO content. We have something to share with other people who are also sitting on this dusty rock orbiting our sun. Our existential conundrum has brought us here, where we desperately seek the right questions that can answer our most painful philosophical questions. By regurgitating current human knowledge, AI does little to soothe our hungry souls.

You know what they say: you have to rush when Mother Nature calls. Under those circumstances, it can be difficult to read the instructions first. Good to know you saved the poor tourist a free chemical bath.

Jim’s a clever guy. We could even seek inspiration in some trash cans that have embraced the pedal idea. Can you believe we’re in the 21st century, surround by ai systems, risking extinction for various reasons, and unable to solve the toilet seat conundrum?

Unfortunately, I’ve never been to France, but nothing beats a spotless clean public toilet. And, thanks for the tip: if someone holds the door for you, kindly step back. That alone should be highlighted in all tourist guides.

I think someone urgently needs to come up with one of these solutions:

1. The foot-operated lid;
2. The toilet with flush and suction;
3. The Jedi throne (a Jedi-style toilet lid activated by hand movements) and lastly
4. The Terminator (a time-activated flames of hell) solution. The time-activated mechanism locks the toilet door after the user leaves and burns the entire compartment at solar flare temperatures.

Thank you for your efforts to keep this place clean and civil, and especially for the transparency in describing how you’ve dealt with such annoyances. You have my respect.

A few years ago, I photograghed a red tanager in my area that had some features in common with the one you shot, though the beak was quite different. https://www.flickr.com/photos/hmancuso/50106001271/in/photolist-2jkGmvD-2kbqxPA-2gZKAPK-2gstFxA-2jaEwgw-23JH2RA-2gDtE8V-2je14fE-25nRwy8-25x61bu-Uw9xuA-2jdULXE-2j9r17j-27juFBR-2k4bWoc-2gQDWNC-2hqyPux-2jdVcuA-2heo277-Su3NEQ-26dGa99-2jbTd21-2iPaAeV-EXufyB-26d2eqK-29iMyBP-2iZdHB7-2bGpSSX-2hLyRSP-25WR3W8-2gedVfQ-2csuL4b-2ggPbDq-2jdULU8-Ms26XS-2cq2zAp-2iRBKP2-27wZFaT-2g6avHs-2jBHq5k-2gbWFvy-23HK5Un-2jgbgs6-2jfkQDe-2bXHtnK-2gQEKCR-2gQEKxa-2g5btUL-2hjdUFD-HXixd5

Like yourself, I have missed shooting it.

Not a mass exodus. Call it a brain drain, if you will. The churn includes those who posted or were moderators. Since those who stayed are directly or indirectly supporting practices that most of us find unacceptable, Reddit will probably forever have that sour taste. It will gradually turn into a pale reminder of what it once was, and it will lose its spark. The sheer volume, quality, and length of posts in the Fediverse is indicative of new user profiles. I am so glad I took the plunge!

Try out photography! Get some basic tips on composition and light before your trip. Use your own phone so you don’t have to make an initial investment. If you search for “badlands” on Flickr.com, you’ll get some ideas on photography and find some interesting places, too. You might even consider expanding your initial photography skills upon your return, and this could become a rewarding hobby that encourages you to visit and photograph beautiful places.