Transformed my relationship with exercise. I think I could live without them now, but it was an important investment at the time.
Apr 25, 2024
Related Recs
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I was so afraid I’d regret this purchase, back when airpods were a novelty. So much money to duplicate what my phone could technically already do. But my first run without my phone assuaged that fear. Transformed my relationship with running and exercise in general.
Mar 9, 2024
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i’ve had this pair since 2019 so it’s been with me through so much. i’ve now been listening to nothing but the sounds of silence and the voices in my head for a few weeks now, but i can hear beautiful bird songs whenever i go on cold winter walks with my dog. i can talk to my sweet elderly neighbor without having to pause Emergency Intercom.
i honestly do miss listening to music and podcasts, but i feel like maybe i needed a break from the constant escapism.
Jan 22, 2025
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what's more difficult: enduring fake airpods, or shelling out hard-earned cash to buy yourself quality earbuds? for an extremely frugal person (aka brokie) such as myself, the latter can be so daunting. however, carrying a pair of fake airpods which sounded like complete dogshit (hence why i instantly named them: Foop pods) was a lowpoint. it only got worse when the right side stopped working, so I was running on half a sound system for my ears during my 2 month solo stint in Europe earlier this year - yikes indeed.
enough was enough, i knew something had to be done. my eyes were set on noise cancelling headphones since i know the true power they hold. i lost a pair of bose QC45's (RIP) at the airport at end of last year, so the bar for shutting the world out was set pretty high. after some intense googling and a few suspiciously on-point targeted ads, i landed on the new airpods 4 with ANC. the lack of silicon cups - unlike the airpods 2 - improved technology featuring faster bluetooth connection and richer sound were all the green flags I needed. the price though? not exactly music to my ears.
thanks to capitalist western culture, black friday means the price-match fiends come out to play. this holiday season was no exception. armed with Amazon.com pulled up on my phone, i walked into Target feeling like this was a stick-up. my weapon of choice? a 22% discounted listing for the airPods 4. no violence necessary—just a polite conversation with the nice lady at the counter. and to my delight, she applied the discount.
the moment i walked out, i sat on a nearby bench and gave them a spin and boy oh boy... going from fake ass 'noise cancellation' to the real fricking deal? soul-stirring to say the least. music just hits different when the rest of the world shuts the hell up. but even beyond ANC, getting a true transparency mode experience was also mind-blowing. being able to hear your surroundings thanks to the built-in microphones makes me feel like i got superpowers - and definitely helps offset the tinnitus i'm lowkey getting from standing next to speakers at parties.
those Foop pods? may they rest in peace. the airPods 4 with ANC might be expensive, but trust me, they're one of the greatest investments you can make for your mental health. straight up.
Dec 17, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
May 27, 2025
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This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025