I can safely say that those hardware requirements were a necessary evil to get the one of a kind experience from it though. Even if you use a mod to play it on a flat screen, it isn't the same at all.
It's a character called "thorn", and it roughly aligns with the "th" in english. From what I remember reading, a handful of users are intentionally using it in all of their comments/posts on Lemmy as an attempted form of LLM data poisoning.
Yeah, I'm currently using a pixel 9 with GrapheneOS after I sold my old phone. I can highly recommend it, although it's pricey if you aren't buying used.
Well, just experimented (removed MicroG and purged the components, reinstalled the Graphene sandboxed play services), and it seems like it just works. Even Aurora seems to work okay, managed to download and install Signal.
So I guess if you're willing, you can just use Aurora with an Anon acc if you just need base apps without google login.
You mentioned the phone is a gift - generally phones bought for full retail price rather than on a service contract are "unlocked" from the start (since you aren't on a payment plan from a vendor who wants to make sure you can't exit unilaterally).
Granted, if that's not the case, usually the phone is unlocked at the end of the carrier contract. Since you said it's carrier unlocked, that implies it's good to go :)
As for options, I haven't used a Motorola device in a very long time. I heard they're decent phones in terms of customization, though.
Edit: referring to this thread involving another motorola user (https://sh.itjust.works/post/49881870), you may be hosed if it's using a mediatek chip.
I wonder if using sandboxed google play services without actual google account login (like in my case, using aurora) is a possible option, since I didn't really check. It's probably worth a look on the graphene forums at least.
Guessing the disk format used between both systems is identical too (at least from what I saw on my steam deck when using the tool integrated into SteamOS big picture)
The US is capable of self-sustaining food production, and I live in a state that produces a large portion of the overall nation's food. I don't think we're in any danger of shortages in that regard at all.
Remember, I'm fine. I made this thread for curiosity, not necessity. I figured it'd be a good idea to try to think of ways to eat healthy on a budget to save money, but if I have to buy more than the minimum I can (and likely will).
I did find a Costco nearby to the campus, but I don't have a membership card. There is a local grocery store though, and my roommates and I buy stuff as needed.
If you believe me, I bought the MREs as a reserve for the apartment (inspection dates were good and they were cheap enough to justify the purchase over alternatives), and I do enjoy them from time to time.
I think we're thinking of the same seller - mine was 24 pack for ~$70. I do have a high tolerance for mundane foods and food preparation (was taught to not be picky and just make sure to eat balanced meals), so I wasn't too glum when eating the MREs. It actually was nice to break them down and throw them into my lunchbox to eat between classes.