@Toronto Veterinarian - I eschew most smart technology, only using it when the costs are worth the rewards I value. Yes to a smartphone, no to smart appliances or TVs.

My newer gas range has some "smart tech" built in, so you can control the oven from your phone. However, the control panel is on the front of the range, so to avoid starting the oven inadvertently while cooking on the stove top you have to lock the control panel. You can't unlock the control panel from your phone, so if you want to start the oven remotely you need to go to the range and unlock the panel before you can start the oven remotely.

@Fun2BHere - Just FYI, Amazon Alexa-based products are almost useless. The only thing they get right IMO are timed reminders and alarms and even those sometimes are glitchy and revert to some weird alarm tone instead of a voiced sentence.

I mainly wanted it to track freezer and pantry inventory - keep the shopping list on my phone and to create/track other lists - movies that someone recomends, tasks that I need to do, reminders to return stuff I borrowed. . .

Somehow I thought it would be easier than keeping manual lists, but it really isn't even doing the simple lists well. After 5 generations I thought they would be further along than they are.

" Your skepticism simply highlights that you have never actually managed federally protected information or high-level proprietary data "

It doesn't matter but you couldn't be more wrong.

Tell me, did all of your co-workers drive 20 year old cars for data security purposes? Were you required by your employer to avoid having certain things in your home?

I suspect the answer to both questions is No, further evidence beyond simple common sense that you have inflated the risks and necessary precautions to do what was honestly just a regular job.

In regard to levels of risk and precautions:

In my previous career I had U.S. Secret clearance so all classified materials may only be accessed, discussed, transmitted, and stored using approved government electronic devices, systems and procedures. With Top Secret - the highest security clearance there are more strict rules and protocols to access very sensitive information.

In the private sector where I later worked, there were only confidentiality requirements (HIPPA), credentialing and privileges. Similarly, patients’ medical histories with Medicare, Medicaid, and other 3rd parties were only accessed, discussed, transmitted, and stored using approved company electronic equipments, systems and procedures, with only the need to know basis. You are solely responsible to strictly follow the procedures to mitigate the risk of data leaking to unauthorized persons, eavesdropping, or listening devices. Depending on your privileges to assess confidential information, you’re furnished with appropriate security electronic equipments.

Reading Culpability, an interesting fictional read on dangers inherent in AI. A cautionary tale.

@Jennifer Hogan, I don't think Amazon has a robust development team for Alexa-based devices as they don't seem to have progressed much in intelligence since the first iteration. To be fair, I suspect the Alexa ecosystem isn't a top priority for Amazon when the company's budget dollars are allocated.

@ palisades & Jennifer - coincidentally I just listened to this segment from This American Life about a man who worked in the SSA with responsibility for their death master list, and it's alarming and disturbing what the new administration's team of 'fraud' detectors wanted him to do when they came in last year. It does seem that propriety and law-following has gone by the wayside lately, when it comes to agencies tasked with collecting people's personal, private data, among other things...

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/888/not-today-hades/act-two-1

@Elmer J Fudd -

Tell me, did all of your co-workers drive 20 year old cars for data security purposes?

Are you using your deflection tactics again or do you truly have difficulty with reading comprehension.

My exact wording was: "For years, my home was a strict sanctuary from smart tech. It wasn't because I was tech-illiterate, but my work involved handling data and discussing proprietary matters that would be massive privacy violations if they were ever recorded, intercepted, or overheard by a smart speaker. Because of that, listening devices were strictly banned from my house. I also drove a 20-year-old car that didn't even know what a smartphone was.

Recently I bought a new car and retired. Time to embrace the tech. "

How did you get this twisted into my company required me to drive a 20 year old car? I never said that. I never implied this. I simply said that because I drove a 20 year old car and I was restricted from using any type of smart speaker or listening device in my home I had not used this technology.

Were you required by your employer to avoid having certain things in your home?

Absolutely. My physical and digital workspace was subjected to strict security protocols:

• Network Isolation: Wireless connections were completely forbidden; I was required to be hardwired directly to the secure network via Ethernet.
• Physical Sequestration: My computer had to sit in a locked room entirely hidden from public access and completely invisible from any first-floor windows.
• Hardware Lockdown: The workstation itself had to be physically locked to the desk.
• Data Restrictions: All USB ports were digitally disabled to block external storage devices, and printer access was completely banned to eliminate paper trails.
• Acoustic Isolation: Absolutely zero commercial listening devices or smart speakers were permitted.

This wasn't my choice, these were company mandatory security rules.

Do not engage.

@sushipup2, you always give such good advice to us. Some of us just can't seem to learn, lol!

I appreciate the clarification, Jennifer - thanks. I do think many people simply have no idea of what's involved in a lot of government work. There's ample evidence of that all around. I see it a lot on our local nextdoor - people whinging and griping and making assumptions about stuff they could easily find on city webpages - or their municipal utility bill.

And it's unfortunate that someone's telling of their personal experiences is seen as something to be judged/criticized - over and over...

@carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10 - segment from This American Life about a man who worked in the SSA

I just got the chance to listen to this, and I thank you for sharing. At times like this, I wish more people were outraged, but it is another symptom of a shrinking middle class. People are more worried about their own struggles than what is going on in Washington.

Carolb, we were out all night at a friend’s house for a cookout dinner and watched July 4th fireworks in the neighborhood. I just listened to your podcast link. I also read about the "dead master list" controversy during Musk's tenure. It highlights the enduring importance of our system of checks and balances because, as the saying goes, "elections have consequences."

" Do not engage. "

You can count on that from me. "Facts" evolve and change over time, never seeming reasonable or believeable. I won't waste time responding.

@Elmer J Fudd -

Elmer oh Elmer - It seems that once again you are having difficulty with that reading comprehension. Let me help you out with the vocabulary here. When someone says 'do not engage,' and you reply with a paragraph calling me a liar, you are actively engaging. You didn't walk away; you just threw a parting tantrum because you ran out of actual arguments. Saying 'I won't waste time responding' while literally responding to attack my career history is hilarious irony. You don't get to redefine 'do not engage' as 'let me get the last word because my feelings are hurt."

@Jennifer Hogan misogynistic narcissism makes responding, explaining, defending, truth telling a complete waste of your time and effort.

a complete waste of your time and effort.

I see it differently. There are more than two parties here. I have been uplifted and entertained by Jennifer's efforts and her skills as a toreador, and have, recently, looked forward to this thread. I suspect others do, as well.

Oh Lucille, I just meant trying to convince someone who’s never going to give a woman credit for her experiences or perspectives, who thinks they have the best and most extensive knowledge on every possible scenario, is the waste of effort. Yes, I’m sure many of the rest of us liked learning more about Jennifer and her career, while also being digusted by the predictable onslaught of disparaging comments seen here.

@olychick - I completely respect your position. By conventional logic, ignoring him denies him the attention he craves. I just can't do it. For generations, women have been conditioned to shrink, stay quiet, and be polite to protect male egos—even when our gut tells us to be afraid. We’ve been taught to hide the bruises, smile through the discomfort, and avoid rocking the boat.

This culture of polite silence is what leaves women vulnerable to being beaten, raped, and often persecuted when they finally find the courage to speak out. 'Don't engage' too often translates to 'sit down, take the abuse, and let him have the space.'

I cannot feed into that conditioning. Calling out his lies isn't giving him power; it is refusing to let a chronic bully silence me.

Jennifer, I agree with you 100% on all you wrote. Sometimes a group of women can also flex our power by shutting out someone who bullies and targets and dismisses and disparages and tries to diminish us and other women.

Oh, yes poor men have it really rough in this world. Poor, poor men. Who control 100% of everything, but mean women just make their lives so hard. Thanks for reminding us how awful men have it.

PS to quote you: "reread what YOU wrote before:"

"" Do not engage. "

"You can count on that from me. "Facts" evolve and change over time, never seeming reasonable or believeable. I won't waste time responding."

😆

@OllieJane expressing distain for a male bully who targets women here is NOT man hating. I suppose, in my wildest dreams I could try to imagine a woman bullying other women here and they would also get called out for it. The fact is, that hasn't ever happened as far as I can remember and it's only one or two men who do it, alongside some really lovely men who post here without insulting/bullying/targeting women. Refusing to be targeted by a male bully cannot be defined as man hating. The fact that a man consistently does it to women is much greater evidence of woman hating.

Given what you refer to as "winning" I'm not surprised this is a familiar and comfortable type of man to you.

" this kind of open hatred toward men "

Huh. I saw open disdain for a specific individual man, not a hatred of men. But you do you; your opinions won't change by anything you read here. The fact that this bully is reportedly male (on the internet, who really knows) is less important than his bullying.

" I truly don't think Elmer cares if you are a woman or not "

I agree; I don't care if Elmer is a man or not. Still presents himself as a man here, and still a bully. I think Elmer would be equally a bully if most other posters here were (reportedly) male.

There's plenty of evidence to the contrary, TV.

" There's plenty of evidence to the contrary, TV. "

Of which part?

I've done no deleting, but some here have vowed to remove abusive posts, so at least 2 people are in agreement. It's really more of a shame that someone continually targets and disparages women here.

I was referring to your final sentence there, TV...

Same as Oly - the only time I've ever flagged anything was especially egregious posts - not made by regulars here, and never out of spite.

If we look at this unique thread and examine Elmer's behavior, I think it is clear that he has a peculiar need to belittle me.

The post was about the use of a technology that I was not exceptionally experienced with: a new AI phone assistant that failed at basic driving tasks, like calling and directions, and completely cut off service if profanity was used. I raised a legitimate concern about a corporate entity policing language inside a consumer's vehicle.

Instead of addressing the core content, Elmer’s only contribution was to accuse me of lying about my past employment restrictions regarding listening devices. When others came to my defense he doubled down, twisting my words and using past snippets of information to support his allegations.

It is not just me that he attacks—or just women, although he is prone to misogynistic tendencies. He has a long history of attacking licensed professionals, certified contractors, and anyone else whose real-world expertise threatens his self-proclaimed authority. His playbook is always the same: when he cannot win an argument on the merits, he resorts to personal degradation, pedantic word-twisting, and condescending lectures to make himself feel superior.

I use my real identity as my username and have been absolutely transparent about my background. Yes, I have a long and varied work history that grew dynamically as I mastered new skills. After 50 years of continuous advancement, I retired from a highly significant role at a top Fortune 500 company. By contrast, Elmer hides behind a cartoon pseudonym, and the only job he has ever specifically cited on these forums was stocking shelves at Ralphs.

Frankly, I am not upset by the things he says about me. I take him at face value—Elmer J. Fudd. Much like the cartoon character, Elmer is defined by an intense desire to dominate his environment as a mighty hunter, yet he is entirely incompetent. He is easily outsmarted. Elmer routinely falls for the same traps because he gets so hyper-focused on proving his power that he completely loses his grip on reality, leaving his arguments to repeatedly blow up in his own face. When his attempts to belittle others inevitably fail, he reverts to a fragile, foot-stomping child mode. He is incapable of handling a loss with dignity.

We can take him seriously and be offended, or treat him as the comic character he portrays and laugh when he shoots himself in the face over and over again.

@Elmer J Fudd -

You responded to Olychick's comment: " @Jennifer Hogan misogynistic narcissism makes responding, explaining, defending, truth telling a complete waste of your time and effort. "

with the comment with the quote " Some of us just can't seem to learn " .

I assumed you were saying that I cannot seem to learn that responding to misogynistic narcissism is a waste of time.

What exactly were you saying? I wouldn't want to be accused of twisting your words, but I have to admit I busted a gut when I read your response. Boom! Good shot to the face!

He has a long history of attacking licensed professionals, certified contractors, and anyone else whose real-world expertise threatens his self-proclaimed authority.

i had this identical experience when he decided to opine that veterenarians who practice acupuncture and/or chiropractic medicine are a scam (i'm paraphrasing) and a waste of money.

@Ninapearl - I owned a Quarter Horse who was at a full gallop when she got her foot in a ditch, flipped herself, and landed on her back. Her gait was a mess. Both my veterinarian and farrier referred me to an equine chiropractor. She worked a miracle on my horse.

About six months later, I was moving one of the heavy stall mats and twisted my back. Sciatica—ugghhh! I called the equine chiropractor, who referred me to her husband, a practitioner of human chiropractic care. I had dealt with sciatica in the past, and it usually took weeks to feel better. I went to her husband, and two hours later, I was walking completely pain-free.

@ninapearl - what is your experience with animal communication specialists?

I once met a specialist who worked for the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and she was pretty amazing. I don’t know if she actually communicated with the animals telepathically or if she just read their behaviors so much better than everyone else that it simply felt like communication.

On the other hand, we had a lady who frequented the ranch where I boarded my horses. She sold supplements and claimed she could communicate with animals. She was an absolute, wacky fraud. She actually spoke to a horse over an owner's cell phone and claimed the horse had kicked the owner because its liver was "clogged."

After several weeks of giving the horse supplements to unclog its liver, the owner tried to go on a trail ride. As soon as they reached the trailhead, the horse reared up and bucked her off. The owner led him back to the corral and told him that because of his bad behavior, he didn't get to go on the ride. She then called the communication specialist, who told her this was actually a great thing! She claimed the supplements were working, the horse was just feeling better, and that is why he bucked her off.

Kicking is a sign of a clogged liver and bucking is a sign of good health - I thought both sounded like bad behavior that called for round pen confessions.

@Jennifer Hogan pippin and frank just had their monthly chiro appointments yesterday. because it's been so beastly hot and humid the past few weeks, they have both been pretty inactive and spend very little playing so neither of them needed anything more than a minor tweak here and there.

dr. linda raises and shows clydesdales and is the proud owner of MM Steele, a supreme champion. if you google "iron horse clydesdales", you can see photos. i met him a few years ago, he is stunning and has the sweetest temperament that he passes to all is get. his foals are like giant puppies!

i know lots of people who go for chiro adjustments routinely. i've never tried it myself but acupuncture has done wonders for my chronic pain!!

what is your experience with animal communication specialists?

back in the day, i became acquainted with a member of a small online miniature horse forum (this was long before facebook was a thing). she was an animal communicator. one day she started a thread offering free readings, all she needed was a photo. i posted photos of my corgis and her summaries of my dogs were so accurate, it was uncanny. they weren't just "generalizations", they were very specific insights into their individual personalities and specific unusual traits known only to me.

fast forward to my first dane, a rescue that came to me at the age of 8 years. when she reached 10, i noticed that she was slowing down and while she never seemed to be in a lot of pain, i suspected that the arthritis i knew was inevitable was beginning to take a toll on her. i wrestled with myself for weeks trying to determine the best course for her. i decided to call bonnie and ask for a reading. i didn't give her a reason, just that i wanted one for this dog. when i asked her what she would need from me (since this would be over the phone), she said just one photo. the only thing i had told her up to this point was that ashley was starting to show her age. there were long periods of silence and then she would say something very specific, things i had noticed about ashley but never said out loud because i didn't want to believe it was true. at one point, she told me that ashley was having pain in her back, that she was uncomfortable when she squatted to pee, something i had noticed over the preceding weeks. she mentioned a couple of other things. then she told me that ashley's pain was significant in her right hind leg. this is exactly what i had been seeing with my own eyes.

it was just a matter of a few weeks before i made the decision to lay ashley to rest. it took validation from someone i trusted and while my vet was somewhat helpful, all i ever got from him was "it's your call". bonnie told me flat out that if i made the decision soon, it would be the right one.

as for the bucking horse with the clogged liver, i'd say a good round pen confession should have set him straight pretty quickly! we used to call those "attitude adjustments". 🤣

@ Jennifer - there's also an element of self-entertainment, I think. It's obvious anti-social behavior - like how some guys @ bars like to get drunk and pick fights, only verbal.

@Jennifer Hogan regarding this..."with the comment with the quote " Some of us just can't seem to learn " .

I assumed you were saying that I cannot seem to learn that responding to misogynistic narcissism is a waste of time."

He's quoting me and it's addressed to me. I had written to sushipup who asked us not to engage that she was giving good advice, but some of us can't seem to learn (I was speaking of myself). At some point I responded to something and he's reminding me that I said I can't seem to learn to stop engaging.

Also "treat him as the comic character he portrays and laugh when he shoots himself in the face over and over again." I frequently lol at him because it's so comical and pathetic.

It’s perfectly clear to me that you’re all STILL name-calling and bullying...yet your posts and threads are STILL here! Meanwhile, my past posts-and those of a couple of other people who disagree pol*tic*lly with you, which aren’t even half as bad as yours-are always deleted. Very telling who is the cabal around here.

Note: It seems Elmer has left the building, yet you still continue.

Don't kid yourself OllieJane, he has not left. This is his MO, he causes the controversy, then hides for a while. Soon, they'll be some fluffy post about some inane topic. I'm getting my popcorn ready! 😅🍿

On a side note, I really wish those that are deleting posts would stop. It's getting ridiculous. If they don't like what's being said, just scroll past it.

" Note: It seems Elmer has left the building, yet you still continue. "

Do you think people comment only for Elmer to see it? I think that's far from true.

I would like to respond to the animal communication experts. When my vet opened her own new practice back in 2010, she had an animal psychic come. This woman has a good reputation around here. I took Fred (miniature schnauzer that came to live with me when my sister passed away in 2008) and Carmelita who was just 6 months old. I wanted her to do a reading with Fred and was able to get her to talked to him. He sat right in front of her. She was sitting on the ground. She looked at his eyes and just paid close attention to him and he was obviously paying attention to her. Finally she said that Fred had never been abused, which I knew was true because my sister got him as a pup and then he came to me. But she did say that he told her he had a problem with a big black dog and did I know what he was referring to. I didn't think of it at the time and said no. She said a few other things about him and then we went on our way. Within just a few days, I was out walking Fred and Carmelita and we came around a curve in our road and I saw a neighbor, Sharon, with her two great danes, one of which was black, named Frank. We stopped for a second to say hi and Frank came after Fred!! I realized that this was the black dog Fred was talking about. We had run into them from time to time and I just didn't realize the tension coming from Frank.

As for the animal chiropractor, when I had my horse, we would have a woman come every so often and she would check each horse and see if they needed any work. She didn't charge if it wasn't needed. Every horse that she touched instantly felt better. You could sometimes hear their neck crack or see their backs change when she was treating them. As for the bucking and acting up, I found that most happened when the saddle did not fit properly. My friend's horse was constantly acting up and throwing her off. She wore a special vest in addition to her helmet because she had gotten hurt in the past. Finally we had a saddle fitter come to the farm. He brought 5 different saddles and tried them on her horse. She would ride in the arena to see how they fit. She found a good fitting saddle and bought it. That horse never threw her again. She even referred to it as her "magic saddle".

When I bought Teddy and didn't have a saddle yet, I borrowed one. He was so ill behaved that I was regretting having bought him. But I bought my own saddle, much better quality and it was like day and night. He was just great, no more shenanigans. It's understandable when you think about that being on their back and if it is illfitting. Horses are pretty sensitive animals and if you can make them happy they will take care of you as well.

“Finally we had a saddle fitter come to the farm. He brought 5 different saddles and tried them on her horse. She would ride in the arena to see how they fit. She found a good fitting saddle and bought it. That horse never threw her again.”

Yes, murraysmom! I am so glad you mentioned this. A horse acting out is quite often trying to tell you that something isn’t quite right. I’m glad it worked out.

"It’s perfectly clear to me that you’re all STILL name-calling and bullying...yet your posts and threads are STILL here!" Just FYI, many of my posts have been deleted by someone who disagrees...hmmm....

I worked in the field of Domestic Violence for many years and am very familiar with bullying and abusive behavior toward women. There were always women on the sidelines, defending the bullying or abuse by men. Usually mothers or sisters or new girlfriends, claiming their men were the real victims.

Women defending themselves against bullies, as some are doing here, is not bullying. Any man who comes to a forum/site populated by women by a huge majority and then targets, bullies, demeans them, etc. and then (finally) gets push-back for doing it, is not a victim, nor is he being bullied. Standing up to a bully does not make anyone a bully. There are so many lovely men who participate here who seem to not have any trouble.

Being female does not disqualify someone from being a woman hater.

Interesting point about the saddles - makes me think of something I've learned working with children: all behavior is communication.

And it's kind of funny that anyone would believe the only reason people complain about another member is because they have different political views - as if it couldn't possibly be their behavior 🙄

I used to own foundation-bred Quarter Horses. Toni was an easy fit for a standard full QH bar saddle, but Sunny was a whole other story. When she turned four, I couldn't find a saddle wide enough for her. She rode fine with just a blanket, but as soon as I saddled her up, she started acting out. The ranch where I boarded by girls had a lot of rodeo riders the ranch owners held weekly cattle sorting competitions. Dale Chavez came to the ranch with a trailer full of saddles before one of the bigger local rodeos. I brought Sunny over to his trailer and he didn't have a single saddle in that trailer wide enough for her, let alone with room for her to grow as she muscled up. I ended up taking her to his facility in Temecula to get measured for a custom-built saddle. It was expensive, but the joy she brought me was worth every penny.

As for Magic, the horse that was rearing and kicking, he wasn't reacting to a physical issue. He was one of the many horses I saw over the years that was ruined by the best intentioned owners. Magic was trained as a therapy horse before his owner bought him. He was this big, sweet, gentle Tennessee Walker. His owner bought him an extensive wardrobe, changed his blankets multiple times a day, fed him endless supplements and treats, and treated him like an overgrown puppy. He was allowed to 'hug' her, push her around, nip for treats, and pull away to eat grass. She was trying to make him love her, but what he actually needed was leadership and security. I tried, as did other horse owners, to help her, but she thought we were all mean to our horses. . .

i had the same problem with this guy. while tuffy never misbehaved, i always noticed that he moved more freely when i road with just a bareback pad. i tried a friend's saddle (full QH bars) and the difference was night and day. i ended up getting a new saddle and noticed a marked improvement.

i once brought a lovely black/white overo gelding home on a trial basis. this horse belonged to an acquaintance of mine and i trusted that she was telling me everything truthful about him. i went down the list. easy to catch? easy to groom/tack up? easy to load/unload? good at standing tied? easy keeper? was he a cribber? non-dominant in a herd situation? those, among a list of other questions. he was a dream, or so i thought. his first week with me was spent turned out on 20 acres with my other 2, just being a horse and learning our routine. the first time i saddled him up, i didn't get much past the barn entrance before he planted all 4 feet and refused to budge. he seemed to have only one direction of travel and that was BACKWARDS. he would spin around, back up, plant his feet and refuse to move. after much work on a longe line, making sure he wasn't experiencing any pain anywhere, and making sure the saddle was properly fitted, i thought we had our brains working the same way. turns out, i couldn't have been more mistaken. under saddle, i never could get forward motion out of him for more than a few steps at a time...

when i called this person to ask about his behavior, she told me it was because he'd had too many "weekend cowboys" on his back and had learned this behavior as a way to get out of being ridden. this had apparently gone on for years. when i asked if he had ever reared under saddle, she said yes, but "only a few times". i loaded him up the next day and returned him. ran into her on a trail ride a year or so later and she told me she ended up sending him to auction. i dodged a bullet that time!

@OllieJane I hear your frustration regarding how threads are moderated and that your posts and Elmer's posts are often flagged and removed. I personally have never flagged a post based on differing opinions and am also sometimes frustrated when a response directed toward me is flagged and removed before I can respond.

I don't think what I wrote was man bashing. I said nothing about anyone other than Elmer. I addressed Elmer because he publicly accused me of lying and twisted what I had said to try to make me look like an imbecile.

There is a profound difference between launching an unprovoked attack and standing up in public defense against personal degradation. When a user relies on condescension and word-twisting rather than the merits of an argument, calling out that pattern isn't bullying—it is simply refusing to accept abusive behavior.

I appreciate the support of other Houzz contributors, both male and female, who stood up for me. Banding together to support one another is basic human solidarity, not a conspiracy. While I don't share your pol*t*cal beliefs, that disagreement has never provoked me to launch a personal attack against you. I have never accused you of lying, twisted your words to make you look ridiculous, or weaponized your past posts to tear you down. Healthy disagreement requires mutual respect.

Because I genuinely respect your voice on this platform, it is genuinely disappointing to see you defend Elmer's behavior. I would hope that regardless of our pol*t*cs, we can all agree that no one on Houzz should have to tolerate being publicly degraded.

Jennifer, I don't agree with him at all when he says you weren't telling the truth. But, this happens to me all the time from people on here, so maybe I'm just a little jaded when it happens to some of those on here.

To be clear, Elmer is definitely not a fan of mine, nor am I of his. Elmer has done this to me as well-no one has said a word to defend me. I'm sorry, but in regards and Elmer-in this thread-I see bullying on both sides. As a matter of fact, because I’m in the minority here politically, I often get ambushed by many people on this forum all at once when I share my point of view. It can feel like bullying at times, but I realize it’s not. There are simply far more people from one party than the other, so I get multiple people coming at me at the same time, and I can’t (and refuse to) even try to respond to all of them.