Promonk's recent activity
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Comment on US survey shows abortion bans drive away young talent in ~finance
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Comment on Florida man worries about his ruined reputation after pulling gun on Uber driver dropping the man's daughter off at their house in ~transport
Promonk Link ParentHow generous of you to assume the man has a modicum of curiosity about the world such that he'd watch a documentary. I would've guessed that "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" movie myself.How generous of you to assume the man has a modicum of curiosity about the world such that he'd watch a documentary. I would've guessed that "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" movie myself.
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Comment on In a first, Belgium approves labour law for sex workers in ~life
Promonk Link ParentAll the more so when there are absolutely no labor laws in the industry, as has been the case for most of history. Decriminalization is only a first step in protecting sex workers. Labor and...All the more so when there are absolutely no labor laws in the industry, as has been the case for most of history. Decriminalization is only a first step in protecting sex workers. Labor and consumer protections are necessary concomitants for it to work.
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Comment on Former US President Donald Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention in ~misc
Promonk Link ParentI didn't think he's really arguing for smaller bureaucracy, but for replacing the bureaucrats with people loyal to him, because he thinks the best way to run a federal government is like a mob family.I didn't think he's really arguing for smaller bureaucracy, but for replacing the bureaucrats with people loyal to him, because he thinks the best way to run a federal government is like a mob family.
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Comment on Unity appoints former EA and Zynga executive Matthew Bromberg as its new CEO in ~games
Promonk Link ParentKnee-jerk reaction to seeing "Epic," I reckon. A lot of people have deep moral objections to their storefront and exclusivity deals, and how they blatantly just bought a userbase by giving away...Knee-jerk reaction to seeing "Epic," I reckon. A lot of people have deep moral objections to their storefront and exclusivity deals, and how they blatantly just bought a userbase by giving away games.
I think it's probably a good thing that someone is at least attempting to give Steam a run for their money, even though I love Steam and Valve and have had good experiences with them. I've also got a couple hundred games on my Epic account that I like to periodically survey like a greedy dragon and never install, so maybe I'm biased.
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Comment on Florida is the first state to ban lab grown meat - Ron DeSantis in ~food
Promonk Link ParentHe explicitly referenced "ideology" as well, which suggests to me that he's hinting at veganism and other moral objections to the meat industry. It fits with the Republican M.O. of tapping wedge...He explicitly referenced "ideology" as well, which suggests to me that he's hinting at veganism and other moral objections to the meat industry. It fits with the Republican M.O. of tapping wedge issues and Identity politics, and whispering to their 'constituents' to give in to their worst impulses like some Best Value Emperor Palpatine.
There's a house I pass on my way into town with a big flag on their garage door reading "TRUMP 2024: No More Bullshit," and every time I pass it, I'm confused for a brief moment.
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Comment on Viral lost song ‘Ulterior Motives’ found in obscure ‘80s porn flick in ~music
Promonk Link ParentYou just named a bunch of 70s porn movies, which kinda proves my point.You just named a bunch of 70s porn movies, which kinda proves my point.
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Comment on Viral lost song ‘Ulterior Motives’ found in obscure ‘80s porn flick in ~music
Promonk LinkI like how they make a point of saying it's an "obscure 80s porn flick." You know, unlike all those hundreds of famous 80s porn titles that are household names.I like how they make a point of saying it's an "obscure 80s porn flick." You know, unlike all those hundreds of famous 80s porn titles that are household names.
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Comment on ‘Escape From Tarkov’ fans are outraged at new $250 pay-to-win edition in ~games
Promonk LinkChecked out the subreddit for shiggles, even though I try to avoid that site like it might give me Ultra Space Herpes. The desperation of the playerbase is palpable. Inevitably people will move on...Checked out the subreddit for shiggles, even though I try to avoid that site like it might give me Ultra Space Herpes.
The desperation of the playerbase is palpable. Inevitably people will move on from one game to another; the trouble for players arises when that migration is instigated by the shit-poor behavior of devs rather than the organic process of finding the Next Big Thing™. This appears to be one such instance.
I have sympathy for the players, but only to an extent. No game claiming to be in "early access" for six-and-a-half years is using EA as anything other than an excuse not to deliver on promises. Shoulda cut bait long ago.
The other thing that strikes me is just how absurd the notion of Reddit protest is. That sub is flooded with hundreds of nearly identical posts from would-be generals of the resistance rallying the troops to hold the line, which I guess in this instance means not paying $250 [more] for an early access game by devs who've shown pretty clearly that they have no qualms about screwing their customers over. It made more sense when the Reddit API thing went down, since it was about the site the protest was hosted on–but it only barely made more sense. I understand the emotional rush of that kind of event, but I think I'm much better off without it, thank you.
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Comment on British Columbia to recriminalize use of drugs in public spaces in ~news
Promonk Link ParentI haven't been to Vancouver in a couple decades, so I'm curious: is that not how it's always been? Doesn't sound very different from what I remember.I haven't been to Vancouver in a couple decades, so I'm curious: is that not how it's always been? Doesn't sound very different from what I remember.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Promonk Link ParentI second this. I've had zero troubles with my dock. Works a treat.To me it sounds like your dock indeed has hardware issues, considering mine is very much plug and play. Whatever you are having is certainly not the intended behaviour.
I second this. I've had zero troubles with my dock. Works a treat.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Promonk Link ParentiFixit guides will usually warn you if there's a fragile ribbon cable or something of which you need to be conscious. To my recollection, there are few things in the Deck like that, although I'm...iFixit guides will usually warn you if there's a fragile ribbon cable or something of which you need to be conscious. To my recollection, there are few things in the Deck like that, although I'm not a huge fan of the haptic unit connectors. I've had connectors like that crumble on me before. Thankfully, a simple drive replacement doesn't go near those.
I recommend iFixit's 64-bit Mako precision screwdriver kit to anyone foolish enough to stop and listen. It's the main toolkit I've used in my career, and I can think of only once or twice that I've needed to take advantage of the lifetime warranty. That's impressive considering the number of turns of the screwdriver I've been wont to do on a daily basis.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Promonk Link ParentIt kind of depends what you're going to use it for. If all you're doing is playing Steam games, then no, not really. Many games make use of cloud saves, so the only thing backing up your data will...Would it be advisable for one to backup an image or do some kind of regular maintenance?
It kind of depends what you're going to use it for. If all you're doing is playing Steam games, then no, not really. Many games make use of cloud saves, so the only thing backing up your data will save you is time spent downloading the game data again, should you have a drive failure. You might want to backup save game data for those games that don't, if you're precious about your game progress.
Valve has done a pretty good job of patching the shader and compatdata leaks with software updates, or at least I haven't noticed my storage getting full inexplicably. I suppose you could get full up with cruft if you're constantly installing and uninstalling, and a reimage would be the fix for that. But as I like to say, installing and uninstalling computer games is my hobby more than playing them, and I haven't needed to reimage since I did the drive upgrade (more than a year ago).
I will say as an electronics repair tech, the first-gen Steam Deck is one of the most repair-friendly handheld devices I've ever had the pleasure to work on. Last I checked, most all the components were available for replacement except for the mainboard, and everything except the display and battery are easy enough to be replaced by a novice, provided they follow the iFixit guides. Even the display and battery are doable, but as they make use of adhesives, some specialized tools are necessary and experience advised.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Promonk Link ParentI went a similar route as you and got the base model and just upgraded the storage. When I got it the base model was the 64GB eMMC version which was completely insufficient both space- and...I went a similar route as you and got the base model and just upgraded the storage. When I got it the base model was the 64GB eMMC version which was completely insufficient both space- and speed-wise. The shaders and compatdata would eat that up in a heartbeat, and all that has to be stored on the internal storage, so the microSD wasn't a workaround. I think you'll fare much better with a 512GB NVMe.
If you do decide to upgrade the storage, I recommend you use a powered USB hub to connect the OS installation media. I tried using an unpowered USB-A to USB-C adapter, and it kept failing. I ended up just flashing the OS media to microSD with Rufus and installing it that way. That only really works if you have extra microSD cards laying around though.
Drop me a line if you do decide to do any upgrades or repairs and I'll be happy to give advice on parts and tools. I've been a device technician of one sort or another for nearly a decade, and I'm always happy to help out.
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Comment on Generation Z is unprecedentedly rich in ~finance
Promonk Link ParentFor people who aren't already wealthy, that is. If you've already got wealth, you can use economic downturns to snatch up the assets of less wealthy people at depressed prices and come through the...- Exemplary
Having a major economic downturn every 7-12 years puts a real hamper on being able to build wealth, regardless of income.
For people who aren't already wealthy, that is. If you've already got wealth, you can use economic downturns to snatch up the assets of less wealthy people at depressed prices and come through the thing much better off than you were before. If you're super lucky, the feds will even subsidize whatever losses you do incur with public funds/debt.
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Comment on How Hertz’s bet on Teslas went horribly sideways in ~finance
Promonk Link ParentI worked for Hertz many moons ago, and in my experience, this should be the company motto. I'm legitimately amazed they haven't gone completely out of business yet. Just goes to show what legacy...... major losses and a cautionary tale for all the other rental companies.
I worked for Hertz many moons ago, and in my experience, this should be the company motto. I'm legitimately amazed they haven't gone completely out of business yet. Just goes to show what legacy and name recognition will get you.
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Comment on Norfolk Southern agrees to pay $600M in settlement related to train derailment in eastern Ohio in ~transport
Promonk (edited )Link ParentTextbook weasel shit right there. "What has happened to your community," not "what we did to your community." It's as though a meteor came down and dumped a bunch of poison in their town. It's the...In the town hall, he apologized to East Palestine residents, saying, "I'm terribly sorry for what has happened to your community."
Textbook weasel shit right there. "What has happened to your community," not "what we did to your community." It's as though a meteor came down and dumped a bunch of poison in their town.
It's the same sort of garbage construction that gutless editors use when police shoot and kill somebody: "the suspect was shot and killed," not "police shot and killed the suspect."
Such transparent bullshit.
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Comment on Chechnya 'bans music that is too fast or too slow' in ~music
Promonk Link ParentNo, I think gaslighting works here. If enough people go along with the impossible demand, a person will begin to wonder if he's the only one who sees the bullshit. It's a way of isolating people...No, I think gaslighting works here. If enough people go along with the impossible demand, a person will begin to wonder if he's the only one who sees the bullshit. It's a way of isolating people in crowds, cutting them off from communicating with each other and potentially cooperating to overthrow you.
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Comment on Chechnya 'bans music that is too fast or too slow' in ~music
Promonk Link ParentAsking the impossible of subjects is a well-worn strategy for authoritarians. It doesn't matter that the rules are ridiculous or impractical; what matters is that people be seen trying to abide by...Asking the impossible of subjects is a well-worn strategy for authoritarians. It doesn't matter that the rules are ridiculous or impractical; what matters is that people be seen trying to abide by them. It's gaslighting on a societal scale.
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Comment on "Dune: Part Three" in the works, in addition to Denis Villeneuve adapation of "Nuclear War: A Scenario" in ~movies
Promonk Link ParentIt's funny you should bring up Shakespeare, as he made himself the most popular writer of the English language, possibly of any language, by almost exclusively adapting older stories to entertain...It's funny you should bring up Shakespeare, as he made himself the most popular writer of the English language, possibly of any language, by almost exclusively adapting older stories to entertain popular audiences. He often changed major plot points from the source material, too.
Pretty much the only play of his that we're fairly certain wasn't an adaptation or retelling of history is The Tempest, and that was almost certainly inspired by the news of a real-life shipwreck that happened shortly before the play's composition.
I don't think that negates your opinion or anything, but I think it should be noted that if someone did make a cheesy sequel to Hamlet, I doubt old Will would be spinning in his grave. In fact, he'd probably wonder why it took us so long.
I think it's unlikely this is a conscious, concerted effort to produce this cycle you've outlined. I think it's more likely that disparate groups are pursuing individual elements, and these groups are natural bedfellows, at least for the time being.
I think it's important to distinguish that there isn't some cabal somewhere greedily rubbing their palms together as they usher in their ultra-capitalist fascist dystopia. That sort of thinking is not only uncomfortably similar to the conspiracist mindset, it distracts people from taking actually effective steps to combat the process. It's much easier cognitively and practically to invent an enemy with sinister motives than it is to acknowledge that we have systemic problems that are leading toward regression.