Post memes here.
A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture and often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme.
An Internet meme or meme, is a cultural item that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. The name is by the concept of memes proposed by Richard Dawkins in 1972. Internet memes can take various forms, such as images, videos, GIFs, and various other viral sensations.
Laittakaa meemejä tänne.
Bought my wife a big old man made diamond necklace in the early 2000s from an ad in Popular Science. She was aware but loved it. She especially liked when other women would ask her if she was afraid to wear it out, for fear of losing it. Best $70 I spent.
It's actually the diamond industry that keeps pushing that narrative as -obviously- they want to be the sole supplier
This should not be considered a meme
At this point you're not paying money for a diamond, you're paying money for a certificate.
If you want to know how much a diamond is really worth, go to any jewelry store and ask them to appraise the resell value of your natural diamond ring with certificate and all, no matter how much you paid for it, they're probably going to tell you only the precious metal setting is worth any money, and the rock itself is utterly worthless the second you received it.
Which makes diamond a terrible symbol for love.
Considering more than 50% of marriages end in divorce, maybe a worthless symbol is fitting.
Initially inflated and overwhelming, then completely ordinary with little value beyond how you feel about it.
"See, our love is just like a diamond: Turns to ~~coal under high pressure and to~~ smoke when heated."
Edited for facts
Diamonds turn to coal under pressure? I thought it was the other way around. i.e. formed from coal under high pressure.
The fact diamonds can burn is pretty crazy, but it makes sense since they're mostly (entirely?) carbon.
Edit: Sorry for ruining your otherwise perfect analogy :)
Use to work opposite a De Beers building that had a helipad on the roof. Choppers were always flying in and out.
Thought it was the CEO coming and going by heli, but turns out they were for diamond shipments. Safer to transport them by air than on the road.
funnily in india where most of the diamonds are grinded they are just selling them on the street like it's some spice
The spice must flow at a cartel controlled trickle.
It was weird to me, when I was looking for rings and jewelry that there are gems that have a higher brilliance and luster than diamonds (and unlike super-fancy bright glass is actually robust enough for typical use). And yet, the folks that want diamonds want diamonds. Since around 2016 after seeing the Mnuchins in the news, it felt like conflict diamonds and slave-mined diamonds are in.
it's the suffering that makes them special.
I like diamonds, my wife calls me a magpie. I buy her jewelry so I get to look at it while she wears it. That being said, I only buy jewelry with artificial diamonds for my better half. She jokingly reacts affronted when I tell her, with an incredulous face she will go "What? No children died for this? Some husband you are!"
That's an adorable nickname
Your wife sounds absolutely lovely.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good
A Veblen good is a type of luxury good, named after American economist Thorstein Veblen, for which the demand increases as the price increases, in apparent contradiction of the law of demand, resulting in an upward-sloping demand curve. The higher prices of Veblen goods may make them desirable as a status symbol in the practices of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure. A product may be a Veblen good because it is a positional good, something few others can own.
That said, part of the problem with lab-grown diamonds is that they're not competing against a rare commodity. They're competing against a powerful vertically integrated cartel. There isn't any real diamond shortage, just a supply-side monopoly. There isn't a natural high demand for diamonds, just a market saturated with aggressive advertising. There isn't a wholesale diamond exchange judging the rocks objectively on their quality, just a series of elaborate marketing gimmicks and scammy sales goons trying to upsell you.
Diamonds have always been a racket. The one blessing of manufactured diamonds is that they're no longer a racket putting market pressure on industrial grade diamond equipment. But the jewelry exists to separate gullible superficial status-fixated people from their money. Ethics was never part of the equation.
Best comment that I also hated reading all month.
Anything to the effect of "this ring isn't expensive enough" is the only reason you need to never marry that person.
My (former) best friend got married young, and her and her husband had rings they got at the flea market that cost about 20 bucks a piece. I always respected the hell out of her for that. Her sisters tried to make it out like it was some kind of bad omen, or like it meant they didn't love each other. She had a lot of pressure to cave into and act like a snotty brat about the cost of the rings. She never did, and loved her cheap ass flea market ring.
She turned out to be a terrible person in a multitude of other ways, but on that note, good for her.
I'm not even sure where the need for an expensive gem stone came from, diamond or otherwise.
My wedding/engagement ring came from an artist and the bands are sculpted and fit together. It's beautiful and I never have to worry about the stone falling out of the setting, plus it was in our price range. Gem stones can be nice, not arguing against them, but rings without them can be just as pretty and more affordable.
It was a marketing campaign from De Beers. Where else would it have come from.
Shit like that is why I think neuro-atypical people might actually be the correct psychological state and everyone else is just a "normal" animal.
(Edit: The point of this comment was to flip stereotypes inside-out. Yet, providing this perspective seems to have put some folks on the defense. To make it easier to see where these comments are coming from (and that none of this is meant as an attack on anyone), I've provided additional information behind each point.)
An AuDHD perspective:
Neurotypicals tend to lack curiosity and passion for interests.
Clarification
This is opposed to autistic people “having intense interests.” If a high level of interest in a particular topic is my “normal,” then other people’s levels of interests seem very low by comparison.
They're less in-touch with their senses, sometimes needing mind-altering substances in order to appreciate basic sensory stimuli.
Clarification
This is opposed to autistic people “stimming” in various forms. Exploring textures, staring at interesting lights, engaging in repetitive physical movements, and more are all examples of “stimming.” A lot of neurotypical people wouldn’t wave their hands between their eyes and a light just to enjoy the visual (and physical) sensations that arise from it - unless they’re tripping balls. Some people can’t seem to appreciate a super soft blanket, or how strange their own body feels, until they’ve taken some kind of mind-altering substance that heightens their sensory experience. Yet, this stuff is part of my "normal." Even just on thoughts and ideas alone, I can’t count how many times I’ve said things that made people go, “What are you smoking? (And are you willing to share?)”
Not only that, but they are overly-invested in "following the group" and "blending in," even if it ends up harming them.
Clarification
When you’ve always stuck out, the idea of “blending in” is laughable. I’ve never had the luxury of being a wallflower. I’ve come across so many people who have had good reason to speak up or stand out, yet they’d been terrified of breaking from conformity. From the perspective of someone who lacks the compulsive need to align themselves with an in-group, being so scared of “standing out” feels rather silly.
So yeah, you might be onto something.
Is this supposed to be a description about a person with adhd or a person without cuz that description was spot on for some of my relatives with adhd in that they can’t hold attention on one thing too long so passion and interest was very brief. And if we’re studying one relative I had in particular, she was constantly trying to fit in, follow groups, cults and buy things to fill a void. It did much harm. ADHD was only one of the comorbidity she was struggling with along with addictive personality and dyslexia.
As far as drugs, she was into them in spades. Went most her life undiagnosed so she self medicated with drugs. Probably even more so than the neurotypical in the fam who could hold interest for long periods of time as they don’t require medications to get through studies and didn’t have to struggle with learning disabilities such as dyslexia.
Perhaps the people you are witnessing whom you assume are neurotypical and self medicating with mind altering drugs are secretly struggling with something mental or behavioural that hasn’t been diagnosed yet. Addiction is often hand in hand with undiagnosed depression as well. And people who are vulnerable and trying to blend in or follow the herd, join cults etc are often overlooked when it comes to proper help. That is often an outcome of family abuse or very low self esteem or both which can make a person very susceptible to gangs and cults.
might not watch tv and buy a diamond but If anything being atypical can make a person more vulnerable as they can be a target quite easily by local predatory con artists looking to pay a bit of attention and help a person fit in.
It's a description of "neurotypical people" from the perspective of somebody who has autism/ADHD.
Neurotypicals tend to lack curiosity and passion for interests.
This is opposed to autistic people "having intense interests." If a high level of interest in a particular topic is my "normal," then other people's levels of interests seem very low by comparison.
They’re less in-touch with their senses, sometimes needing mind-altering substances in order to appreciate basic sensory stimuli.
This is opposed to autistic people "stimming" in various forms. Exploring textures, staring at interesting lights, engaging in repetitive physical movements, and more are all examples of "stimming." A lot of neurotypical people wouldn't wave their hands between their eyes and a light just to enjoy the visual (and physical) sensations that arise from it - unless they're tripping balls. Some people can't seem to appreciate a super soft blanket, or how strange their own body feels, until they've taken some kind of mind-altering substance that heightens their sensory experience. Even just on thoughts and ideas alone, I can't count how many times I've said things that made people go, "What are you smoking? (And are you willing to share?)"
Not only that, but they are overly-invested in “following the group” and “blending in,” even if it ends up harming them.
When you've always stuck out, the idea of "blending in" is laughable. I've never had the luxury of being a wallflower. I've come across so many people who have had good reason to speak up or stand out, yet they'd been terrified of breaking from conformity. From the perspective of someone who lacks the compulsive need to align themselves with an in-group, being so scared of "standing out" feels rather silly.
Does that help make more sense?
lacks the compulsive need to align themselves with an in-group
Don’t hold back. Just come out and say it that you think people who can actually hold a conversation with each other are just pathetic and you look down on them.
Not that distant from what an incel would write.
Is there any particular reason why you're trying so hard to find an insult? Surely, you understand that not every autistic person is a hate-filled incel?
I want to buy a synthetic gemstone that is impossible to be formed naturally. I'm sure there's at least a few.
Moissanite (Synthetic Silicon Carbide):
While natural silicon carbide (moissanite) does exist, it is extremely rare and is not used in jewelry. The moissanite used in jewelry is entirely synthetic. Its properties, such as brilliance and hardness, make it a common alternative to diamonds. YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet):
Originally developed for industrial and laser applications, YAG is sometimes used as a gemstone. Although it is named a "garnet," it is not related to the natural garnet family of minerals. Strontium Titanate:
Developed in the mid-20th century as a diamond simulant. It has a much higher dispersion than diamond, giving it a fiery brilliance, but it is too soft for practical jewelry use. Synthetic Rutile:
While natural rutile exists, the synthetic version created in the lab has been used as a gemstone due to its high dispersion and brilliance. The synthetic version is engineered for specific optical qualities. Titanium Sapphire (Ti:Sapphire):
A synthetic material often used in lasers. While not commonly used in jewelry, it is a synthetic gemstone that does not naturally occur in this form. These synthetic gemstones are often engineered for specific aesthetic, optical, or industrial purposes and are distinct from natural gemstones, either because they do not naturally occur in gem-quality form or because they are entirely man-made.
Synthetic Alexandrite (Czochralski or Flame Fusion):
Although natural alexandrite exists, synthetic versions often have unique compositions or colors that don’t occur naturally, created purely for novelty. Boron Nitride Crystals:
Synthetic boron nitride can be engineered into gem-like forms. It’s extremely rare in nature and appears in fascinating, unusual forms in the lab. Synthetic Opal (Novel Patterns):
Lab-grown opals can exhibit color patterns or transparency levels not seen in natural opals, such as extreme brightness or perfectly uniform "play-of-color." Synthetic Quartz Variants:
Quartz can be synthesized with inclusions or colorations (e.g., deep purple or unique patterns) that are unattainable in natural environments. Colored Synthetic Diamonds:
Lab-created diamonds can be grown with colors that are extremely rare or impossible in nature, such as perfectly vibrant reds, blues, or even neon shades due to precise chemical doping. Bismuth Crystals:
While not technically a gemstone, synthetic bismuth crystals are grown in labs and have rainbow-colored, step-like structures not naturally found in geological settings. Synthetic Spinel:
While spinel exists naturally, synthetic spinel can be created in colors or with clarity not found in nature, such as vibrant neon hues. Synthetic Perovskites:
Perovskites are naturally occurring but rare in gem-quality form. Synthetic versions, often used in solar panels, can be cut into unusual, sparkling gems. Synthetic Corundum with Patterns:
Sapphire and ruby (corundum) can be synthesized with added colors or patterns, such as stars, gradients, or even mixed hues that are impossible naturally. Gallium Nitride Crystals:
Used in electronics but can be fashioned into gemstones with unusual optical properties, entirely absent from nature. Synthetic Fluorite Variants:
While fluorite exists in nature, synthetic fluorite can exhibit colors and patterns engineered for jewelry or purely aesthetic purposes. Zirconium Carbide or Nitride:
These materials are synthetic and metallic, with a high refractive index and an unusual, futuristic appearance when polished. Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Crystals:
MOFs are a class of synthetic porous crystals with complex geometric structures and vibrant colors, making them unique and striking. Hyper-Modified Glass or Vitreous Materials:
Glass-like gemstones doped with rare elements (such as europium or neodymium) can fluoresce or shift colors in ways impossible in natural stones. Synthetic Garnets (Uncommon Types):
Garnets like gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) or yttrium iron garnet (YIG) are synthesized for industrial purposes but can be cut into gemstones. These stones are not just rare but impossible to find naturally, offering a unique and unconventional aesthetic perfect for someone looking to stand out.
Synthetic Alexandrite (Czochralski or Flame Fusion):
Although natural alexandrite exists, synthetic versions often have unique compositions or colors that don’t occur naturally, created purely for novelty. Boron Nitride Crystals:
Synthetic boron nitride can be engineered into gem-like forms. It’s extremely rare in nature and appears in fascinating, unusual forms in the lab. Synthetic Opal (Novel Patterns):
Lab-grown opals can exhibit color patterns or transparency levels not seen in natural opals, such as extreme brightness or perfectly uniform "play-of-color." Synthetic Quartz Variants:
Quartz can be synthesized with inclusions or colorations (e.g., deep purple or unique patterns) that are unattainable in natural environments. Colored Synthetic Diamonds:
Lab-created diamonds can be grown with colors that are extremely rare or impossible in nature, such as perfectly vibrant reds, blues, or even neon shades due to precise chemical doping. Bismuth Crystals:
While not technically a gemstone, synthetic bismuth crystals are grown in labs and have rainbow-colored, step-like structures not naturally found in geological settings. Synthetic Spinel:
While spinel exists naturally, synthetic spinel can be created in colors or with clarity not found in nature, such as vibrant neon hues. Synthetic Perovskites:
Perovskites are naturally occurring but rare in gem-quality form. Synthetic versions, often used in solar panels, can be cut into unusual, sparkling gems. Synthetic Corundum with Patterns:
Sapphire and ruby (corundum) can be synthesized with added colors or patterns, such as stars, gradients, or even mixed hues that are impossible naturally. Gallium Nitride Crystals:
Used in electronics but can be fashioned into gemstones with unusual optical properties, entirely absent from nature. Synthetic Fluorite Variants:
While fluorite exists in nature, synthetic fluorite can exhibit colors and patterns engineered for jewelry or purely aesthetic purposes. Zirconium Carbide or Nitride:
These materials are synthetic and metallic, with a high refractive index and an unusual, futuristic appearance when polished. Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Crystals:
MOFs are a class of synthetic porous crystals with complex geometric structures and vibrant colors, making them unique and striking. Hyper-Modified Glass or Vitreous Materials:
Glass-like gemstones doped with rare elements (such as europium or neodymium) can fluoresce or shift colors in ways impossible in natural stones. Synthetic Garnets (Uncommon Types):
Garnets like gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) or yttrium iron garnet (YIG) are synthesized for industrial purposes but can be cut into gemstones. These stones are not just rare but impossible to find naturally, offering a unique and unconventional aesthetic perfect for someone looking to stand out.
A lot of comments here are suspicious of you, so I'm going to try my hand at guessing whether this was AI.
Since GPTs are hilariously bad at detecting themselves, I'll venture on the human spirit!
First, we establish truth 1: this is copy-pasted.
Although Moissanite isn't mentioned twice, everything after "Synthetic Alexandrite" inclusively is mentioned twice. That means this was procedurally copy-pasted. Someone writing on their own would either CTRL+A then CTRL+C and make no mistakes, or not repeat themself at all.
Of course, we can also look at the half-formalized format that indicates something was copied from raw text and pasted into markdown, rather than formatted with markdown first.
Colon:
words words Colon:
words words Colon:
copy-paster spotted
Second, we cast doubt that a human wrote the source.
Non-reused acronym definitions.
Garnets like... yttrium iron garnet (YIG)
This is probably taken straight from the Wikipedia's site description for YIG. Usually humans don't define an acronym only to never use it, unless they're making a mistake, especially not for just making repeated structure. So either Wikipedia was in the training corpus or this was Googled.
5/23 sentences start with "While" (weak ai indicator)
no three-em dashes or obvious tricolons are overused (non ai-indicator)
no filler bullshit introduction or conclusion (non ai-indicator)
obvious repeated structure that you can feel (strong ai indicator)
Suspiciously uncreative descriptions (ai indicator)
"These stones are not just rare but impossible to find naturally, offering a unique and unconventional aesthetic perfect for someone looking to stand out." (emphasis added)
Repetition of "unusual" and "rare" rather than more flavorful or useful adjectives (AI indicator)
Superficial, neutral-positive voice despite length and possible source. If this was pasted from a technical blog, I'd expect it to have more "I" and personal experiences, or more deep anecdotal flavor (AI indicator)
Third... let's take a guess
So it was copy-pasted from somewhere, but I can't imagine it being from a blog or website, and it isn't directly from Wikipedia. It has some nonhuman mistakes, but is otherwise grammatical, neutral-positive, and repetitively structured. And it lacks that deeper flavor. So.... it was an AI, but likely not openAI.
At least there aren't any very "committal" facts, so the length but lack of depth suggests that everything's maaaaaaybe true...
I wasted my time typing this
I gave my wife a natural diamond engagement ring, but it belonged to my great-grandmother, so I felt that it was ethical enough. You can't really do much about suffering 120 years ago (or whatever it was) and probably everyone involved in making that ring was treated like shit in one way or another because it was 1904 and everyone who wasn't white, male and rich suffered.
The most suffering-free and eco-friendly ring is the one already made, so, you did the best thing!
It makes sense.