Monday's Most Active Threads

The most active topic yesterday was titled, "anyone else strongly consider leaving due to garbage US healthcare?" and posted in the "Off-Topic" forum. The original poster details her frustrating experience trying to determine whether her health insurance will cover a sleep study that was prescribed by her doctor. After several runarounds and hours on the phone, she has been unable to find an answer. In contrast, she describes an incident involving her sister-in-law who suffered a broken arm while travelling in Thailand. Her sister-in-law received excellent care and was only charged $300 even without insurance. Due to the aggravating situation with healthcare in the United States, the original poster is strongly considering moving abroad and asks whether others have similar thoughts. Many posters reply saying that they have great health insurance and never have problems accessing care, and therefore, would not consider leaving the US. Other posters suggest that the original poster's view of foreign healthcare systems may be overly rosy and predict that she couldn't easy get a sleep study in other countries. However, a smattering of those responding also express disappointment with US healthcare and are considering leaving, though their reasons for doing so generally extend beyond healthcare. For the most part, the responses reflect the stratified access to healthcare that exists in the US. Those with financial means get the care that they desire. The poor probably wouldn't even consider a sleep study and primarily rely on the emergency room for care. In the middle is where the US offers a mixed bag, with patients facing hurdles and frustrations such as the original poster has described.

Next was a thread posted in the "Real Estate" forum titled, "Feel like a fish out of water in Vienna". The original poster explains that she moved from DC to Vienna, Virginia and finds her new neighborhood too conformist and full of "type A" personalities who are overly focused on their children's achievements. The original poster asks whether there are neighborhoods in which she might fit in better. Because the original poster described herself as "vocal about social injustice" and as someone who frequently curses, several posters respond to say that she is the problem. This does little to correct the impression that she is, indeed, a fish out of water. Similarly, most of the responses that I've read, admittedly not many, reinforce the original poster's perception of Vienna. Not only are they just as she describes, they like it that way and thank you for not swearing. Many posters suggest that if she doesn't like the highly-pressured environment of the schools in Vienna, she should move to an area with under-performing schools. Several posters describe Vienna as being a special case. At least one Vienna resident claims not to have encountered the issues the original poster describes, but then goes on to say that she only socializes with people from outside Vienna. Another poster chimed into say that she is also a Vienna mom and would like to hang out with the original poster, so apparently not everyone in Vienna fits the mold.

The third most active thread yesterday was posted in the "Family Relationships" forum and titled, "Why does this bother me so much? “Fairness”". The original poster explains that her husband's parents lavish loads of money on his sister, including providing a free apartment in Manhatten, paying for her living expenses, and financing multiple international vacations a year. In contrast, the parents do little for the original poster's husband. The original poster is frustrated that as she and her husband struggle with childcare expenses, college savings, and their mortgage, his sister who doesn't even have a job fills her social media feeds with photos of her latest vacation. The original poster understands that her feelings are wrong and asks how to get over them. Many of those who responded said that they would feel the same way. One suggestion was to stop following her sister-in-law on social media. Several posters told the original poster in various ways that it was not her business, something with which the original poster fully agrees. Some of those responding attempted to offer explanations for the parent's unequal treatment of their two children. Towards the most recent pages, this thread deteriorated into an argument about the original poster's motives. I'm not sure why some posters felt the need to attack the original poster who admitted from the beginning that her jealously was misplaced and is actively seeking a way to get over it. But, some people just like being difficult I guess.

The final thread at which I'll look today was titled, "What decor style do you absolutely HATE?!" and posted in the "Home Improvement, Design, and Decorating" forum. The original poster has a particular dislike for "Mid century modern" design, a feeling shared by many of those who responded. I did some quick Googling to educate myself about what that style included and will begrudgingly admit that I find some elements of midcentury modern to be pleasing. But, I am not sure that I would want an entire house finished as such. Several posters expressed dissatisfaction with the color "greige". This shows just how quickly things change because a year ago when we were beginning a renovation, this blend of grey and beige was all the rage. Back to midcentury modern, several posters joined in criticizing this style which many believe results in uncomfortable furniture. But, in true DCUM tradition, defenders of midcentury modern were quick to offer their opinions supporting the design choice. Another opponent of midcentury modernism linked to an article discussing the relationship of midcentury modernism to racism. The argument seems to be that midcentury modernism was part and parcel of urban planning and consumer marketing that promoted segregation and focused almost entirely on white people. Another poster, digging into the same article, concluded that her midcentury modern chair might result in heavy people being fat-shammed. However, the poster was not the least bit put-off by such an outcome. Moreover, I think that poster may have read a bit too much into the sentence she quoted. It is actually people of above-average height that are likely made uncomfortable by chair, rather than those who are simply overweight.