and while the tracking pixels were in use, there was also, EVERY SEASON, and sometimes more than once, auditing from a variety of external sources, including the IRS.

So while this in no way negates the responsibility of the companies to police their compliance, it does surprise me that none of the external audits missed this.

it's not directly onto the eyes, it's onto "glasses" that are essentially two small diffuser screens. so not much different that a pico-projector really.

the last time I saw a film in theaters (the latest Jurassic World) I forgot earplugs and almost had to leave. My phone recorded 128db peaks. I came in costume, and was one of three people in the entire theater.

Theaters are dead.

it does if they are Yautja (Predators)

Pretty sure there have been overpriced, exclusive clubs in every major city around the world for centuries if not longer.

Also in Texas, and agree the economics don't work. I had two different contractors out and in both cases the ROI was >25 years, even with the bad assumptions you mention.

Two major factors, at least in my case:
1. My house is newer and doesn't use much energy, thus my current costs are low. (To the extent that dropping them all the way to zero would have still had an ROI of 20+)
2. After being grilled about it, they admitted they didn't cover hail damage (both to the panels and the installation/removal costs when you inevitably have to get the shingles fixed) which makes it borderline disposable and/or a net burden rather than an asset.
Minor factor:
1. it's so windy and dusty where I live that I have to pressure wash the windows once a month to keep them reasonably clear. I have no way to get up on the (multistory, steeply angled) roof of my house and perform a similar operation.

I was really excited about going solar when I got this house (more south-facing roof area than my last one) but it straight up was going to cost me a lot and gain me little to nothing.

meh, that just looks like olde-fashioned victorian meat.

"prithee, good sir, hast thou dined upon many tender roasts of beefe or poultrye?"

Not really. /shrug I've never worked in an enterprise shop that ran *nix because all the IT folks seem to like AD and all the centralized control of Windows. I mean, it's been a recurring gag on this site for decades that this is the year of Linux on the desktop, but it hasn't been, and, I suspect, it won't be.

or whatever it's actually called. Hit power button 5 times rapidly, it'll open the emergency panel (SOS, 911-onetouch, etc.) and will then only allow a passcode (no biometrics)

just not the why.

Maybe, maybe not. I didn't start hunting until I was an adult; pursuing, killing, dressing, and cooking the animals I harvested made me appreciate them MORE, not LESS.

I've also grown my own vegetables, and a similar thing applied. Maybe simply working for it makes it taste better.

The Great Filter:

https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.io?url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2F...

that enough of the world's problems have been solved... that we find ourselves having to devote time and energy to "solving" this "problem."

What a time to be alive.