Yeah, that line about clear questions winning is so true. I heard a podcast where a teacher said she gets way better essays when she asks "explain three causes of the war" instead of just "discuss the war." It forces a real structure. Same thing with work emails, asking "can you send the report by Friday?" gets a faster yes than "let me know when you have a chance.

Oh man, that cold snap is a killer. My starter went totally dormant last winter in my drafty apartment (the kitchen was basically a fridge). Wrapping the jar in a towel and putting it on top of the fridge helped a bit, since the motor gives off a little warmth. Some people use the oven with just the light on, but I'm too forgetful for that. A cheap seedling heat mat can work too, if you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it fix.

Three hours just staring at it" sounds like my last attempt at hanging a picture straight.

Good stuff got dumbed down" is painfully true. My expensive meter just shows me how bad I am at this. The cheap one would probably lie and tell me I'm doing great.

Remember my buddy's old truck? Had to tap the dashboard twice before the radio would turn on... worked every time.